IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak returns to discuss the upcoming Project 007 game. In an interview with IGN, he openly said that his goal was to make it a game franchise, not a one-off project.
What was interesting about that project was that we actually had to create an original story. So, this is not a gamification of a film. It really kicks off and becomes a story, hopefully for a big trilogy in the future. And just as important and exciting, this is a new Bond. This is the Bond we built from the start for gamers. It’s interesting with all the tradition and history there to work together with the family to create a young Bond for gamers; a bond that gamers can have and develop.
I don’t want to say too much about this, but I just hope we can do something that will define James Bond in gaming for years to come. And it’s not just one game, but we’re creating a world that gamers can have for years to come so that we can grow with it as Bond does in the films.
Abrak also provided an update on development, saying that production at IO Interactive is going ‘very well’. It doesn’t tell us when we’ll learn more, but it’s been almost four years since the announcement of Project 007, and it probably won’t be long before we get a proper trailer.
Meanwhile, IO Interactive just signed a deal with Build a Rocket Boy to publish MindsEye, a triple-A single-player story-based action/adventure game built on the Everywhere engine. Abra said:
We are honored to be a global publishing partner working with the incredibly talented Build A Rocket Boy team and delivering exciting new IP to our community. IO Interactive and Build A Rocket Boy are like-minded in how we create long-lasting bonds and relationships with our community, which aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering high-quality, immersive experiences to players around the world. As our first publishing partnership, this marks an important milestone for IO Interactive, and we are very proud of this collaboration.
Game Director Leslie Benzies, who produced the GTA games from III to V at Rockstar, added:
Since day one, Build A Rocket Boy Studios has focused on creating engaging gaming experiences and the next generation of quality entertainment. We can’t wait to share our first AAA premium game and growing universe, MindsEye, with the world. There is no better partner than IO Interactive to publish our first title, with their strong understanding of community culture, premium action-adventure gaming, and best-in-class publishing team, we are looking forward to partnering with them on our new blockbuster journey.
In MindsEye, players will become Jacob Diaz, a former soldier with mysterious neural implants who suffers from memory loss and flashbacks. They will embark on a series of dangerous covert missions to uncover the secrets of Jacob’s past in a world filled with artificial intelligence threats, high-tech experiments, corporate espionage, political corruption and an out-of-control military. According to the developers, they can expect a complex narrative, rich environments, innovative combat, futuristic technology and high-speed chases. There’s no release date yet, but you can add it to your Steam wishlist.
