Collector’s Editions have always held a special place in my heart. Announced ahead of release, they turn the wait for a game into something bigger: not just playing, but owning a piece of it. Pre-ordering feels almost like a ritual—like booking your dream hotel before the trip. And on release day, unboxing one is pure magic, an early Christmas gift from Q Branch.
I’ve collected many things over the years, but what excites me most today are pop culture keepsakes that carry a story. A hand-signed Ken Adam art print from You Only Live Twice, a silver paperweight shaped like Jaws’ teeth from Bond, a wall relief from the Chachapoyan temple in Indiana Jones, a framed one-of-a-kind concept sketch from Mass Effect, a Portal Gun replica, and even a full-sized Fallout Power Armor helmet. Each of them is wildly different, yet they all spark the same rush of memory the moment I see them.
That’s the power of a great Collector’s Edition: it’s more than “nice extras.” It becomes a souvenir from a digital journey. Gaming has given us everything from cloth maps in the late ’90s, to remote-controlled spy cars (Call of Duty: Black Ops), life-sized skateboard controllers (Tony Hawk’s Ride), and even Leon Kennedy’s leather jacket (Resident Evil 6). Sometimes elegant, sometimes absurd.
So what would a 007: First Light Collector’s Edition need to capture that lasting Bond magic? Here’s my personal wishlist – and just to be clear: everything you’ll see and read below is pure fan art and speculation. None of it is official material from IO Interactive, MGM, or EON Productions. It’s simply food for thought and a bit of Bond-flavored daydreaming.
A Mask of Power: The Golden Villain Bust
I spent a long time thinking about what the centerpiece of a 007: First Light Collector’s Edition should be. An Aston Martin? A James Bond figure? Both seemed tempting, but neither felt truly representative of this particular game. Vehicles might appear across different Bond adventures, and a Patrick Gibson Bond figurine might lose its appeal if sequels follow. After years of Assassin’s Creed and Uncharted statues, my shelf space for heroes is already well covered.
What feels unique to First Light is its villain. We don’t know much yet, but the man with the striking golden mask is already a strong contender. The mythological inspiration—echoes of Greek and Roman design, tied to the Mediterranean hints in the reveal trailer—makes the mask a perfect foundation for a sculpted bust. Unlike another action figure, a bust would stand out as a rare and decorative collectible, something that could sit in a fan’s living room or on a desk as a daily reminder of the story’s antagonist.
Ideally, the piece would be large enough to command presence—big enough, perhaps, that you could even rest your headphones on it. A striking blend of art object and everyday utility, just the kind of eccentric yet stylish centerpiece worthy of a Bond villain.
Spinning 007: The First Light Vinyl Soundtrack
But what’s Bond without music? I’ll admit it: I don’t really listen to CDs anymore. For years, streaming was all I used. But during a trip to Los Angeles and E3, I stayed in a hotel room with a record player—and that was the moment vinyl clicked for me. Watching the record spin, hearing those tiny imperfections, and actually holding the medium in my hands felt special in a way digital formats never could.
A vinyl soundtrack doesn’t just deliver music; it carries nostalgia. The format connects back to the era Bond himself was born in, while also feeling strikingly current—video game OSTs on vinyl are more popular than ever.
The composer of 007: First Light hasn’t been revealed yet. It seems most likely that IOI will bring in a new, external voice to give the score its own identity. Still, given their excellent work on the Hitman trilogy, I could easily imagine a return of Jesper Kyd or Niels Bye Nielsen—both independent composers whose music already proved IOI’s ability to shape atmosphere and tension. Either way, pressing the soundtrack onto vinyl would give the Collector’s Edition a timeless Bond touch.
For the cover, I imagine a moment from the reveal trailer: Bond locked in combat on a Vietnamese beach, his silhouette illuminated by fireworks exploding in the night sky. As a vinyl sleeve, it would feel instantly iconic—an image that could spin on a turntable and carry Bond’s style straight into a collector’s living room.
From Sketch to Mission: The First Light Art Book
Every Bond story also needs its visuals. I’ve always loved concept art. Looking at it feels like holding a postcard from a fictional world I once explored, instantly pulling me back into its atmosphere. That’s why my shelves are stacked with art books and signed prints—from Bioshock and Deus Ex to Mass Effect and Final Fantasy, alongside treasures from Star Trek and James Bond.
What always disappointed me, though, were the so-called “mini art books” once bundled into Collector’s Editions. Too small, too thin, often filled with screenshots rather than real artwork—they never captured the creative vision behind a game. I usually ended up buying the proper hardcover editions from publishers like Titan or Dark Horse, or the massive volumes for World of Warcraft and Skyrim. That’s the standard I’d wish for in a 007: First Light Collector’s Edition: a large-format, coffee-table book that does justice to the artistry.
The cherry on top would be a signature from Art Director Rasmus Poulsen on the front page, or even a separate folio print ready to frame. And of course, it should cover the full spectrum—early sketches, locations, characters, vehicles, and gadgets. After all, in Bond, the visuals are just as iconic as the music, the villains, and the cars.
007 in Style: Exclusive Digital Goodies
When it comes to digital goodies in a potential Collector’s Edition of 007: First Light, the key lies in curation. Fans don’t want to feel like they’re being overwhelmed with random “candies” thrown their way. Instead, the most effective bonus content is carefully chosen – items that feel worthy of 007 himself. Outfits and weapons tied to Bond’s most memorable moments ensure that these digital extras aren’t just cosmetic, but storytelling devices – little tributes to the franchise’s history that players can carry with them on every mission.
Outfit skins have already been presented as rewards for 007: First Light – inspired by the eras of Daniel Craig and Roger Moore. Building on that idea, here are my own suggestions for what could make truly fitting exclusive skins for a Collector’s Edition, directly paying tribute to Bond’s cinematic legacy:
- A crisp Royal Navy officer’s uniform, reminiscent of Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), where Pierce Brosnan briefly appears in full naval dress as Commander Bond – a subtle but powerful reminder of Bond’s military roots.
- A formal Scottish kilt ensemble, clearly inspired by George Lazenby in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). This costume not only reflects Bond’s Scottish heritage but also stands out as one of the franchise’s boldest fashion choices.
- The iconic white dinner jacket with red carnation, immortalized by Sean Connery in Goldfinger (1964). Stylish, suave, and instantly recognizable, it remains one of the ultimate cinematic Bond looks.
Alongside these outfits, weapon skins would add another exciting layer of exclusivity. The futuristic Moonraker Laser, recalling Roger Moore’s space adventure in Moonraker (1979), brings one of Bond’s most extravagant gadgets into the game. And of course, the legendary Golden Gun – Francisco Scaramanga’s weapon from The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) – is a must-have for any collection of Bond-inspired items.
Driving Bond: The Aston Martin Valhalla Keychain
Of course, no Collector’s Edition would feel complete without a nod to Bond’s most trusted companion—his car. While I don’t think vehicles should be the centerpiece of the edition, they absolutely deserve a place in it. Based on the reveal trailer and the developers’ own comments about preparing “something special” for Bond’s vehicle, I still believe the Aston Martin Valhalla will play a central role in 007: First Light. And if I happen to be wrong, I would only be taking a very small risk here—one that fits right into my pocket.
Keychains are actually a wonderful addition to any Collector’s Edition. They’re small, practical, and can be carried everywhere, turning into a daily reminder of the game. I’ve personally enjoyed keychains from other franchises—the Assassin’s Creed logo and the Murder of Crows Vigor from BioShock Infinite—but both eventually suffered from wear and tear. That’s why durability is so important.
For Bond’s Valhalla, I’d love to see a keychain that isn’t just painted or coated, because those finishes wear off too quickly. Instead, a piece crafted from brass or bronze would be ideal. Both metals have a natural golden hue, they’re resilient to the constant physical stress keychains endure, and over time they develop a subtle patina that adds character. It’s exactly the kind of timeless, tactile collectible that belongs in 007’s world.
Mystery in Your Hands: The First Light Device
With the golden villain bust already serving as the centerpiece of the collection, there should be a balancing counterpart—something that doesn’t just sit on a shelf, but actually invites interaction. In the reveal trailer of 007: First Light, we briefly saw a massive, gold-glowing machine at the heart of a laboratory or control room. Its true purpose remains a mystery, but its sheer scale and ominous design suggest it could be central to the story.
My idea for the Collector’s Edition would be a replica of a key component from that very machine—perhaps the most crucial part required to activate it. If this smaller device were indeed the essential piece that makes the whole system function, then the struggle over who controls it could form a pivotal conflict in the game’s narrative.
Unlike the bust, this item wouldn’t be about silent admiration alone. A scaled “First Light Device” could feature buttons to press, glowing LED elements, and maybe even sound effects. It would not just look impressive on display—it would feel like an object worth fighting over, echoing the tradition of Bond’s world where high-stakes plots often revolve around dangerous pieces of technology.
For this concept, I drew inspiration from iconic Bond artifacts such as the GoldenEye key or the Solex Agitator from The Man with the Golden Gun. The design in my mind combines chrome elements, glass, wiring and circuitry, with a plug-in connector that makes it clear this is part of something bigger. Powered by a rechargeable USB-C battery, the replica could glow with a warm golden light, underlining its importance while hinting at the danger it represents.
In that sense, the villain’s bust and this interactive device would perfectly complement each other: one as the symbol of Bond’s adversary, the other as the decisive piece of technology—a collectible that feels as though it could tip the balance of the story itself.
Closing Thoughts – Lessons, Risks, and Reasons to Dream
The Collector’s Price
As collectors, we all know that a Collector’s Edition can take a serious toll on the wallet. A well-crafted CE often costs as much—or even more—than the game itself. And yet, the investment can feel worthwhile when it manages to pull a piece of the virtual world into reality, turning it into a tangible keepsake that sparks memories long after the credits roll.
But while fans often see these editions as a dream come true, publishers sometimes view them as a potential nightmare—too costly, too risky, too complicated to produce. That tension between fan expectations and developer concerns is something I witnessed up close.
My BioShock Experience
I realized just how powerful that contrast can be during my years as a community moderator at 2K Games, where I worked across the entire BioShock series. Back around 2006–2007, ahead of the first game’s release, the publisher had serious doubts about whether a CE was worth the effort. To bridge the gap between those doubts and the community’s enthusiasm, I pitched the idea of a fan petition to my community manager, Elizabeth Tobey. After she checked with the company, a condition was set: if we reached 5,000 signatures, the CE would be greenlit. I launched the petition—and within just five hours, the goal was met. By the following day, more than 14,000 fans had signed. Soon after, the community was even voting on contents and designing the packaging themselves.
That wave of excitement showed me how much passion a CE can ignite—but it also revealed the risks that come with them. When the BioShock CE finally shipped, many of the centerpiece Big Daddy figures arrived broken. 2K had to set up a replacement program, send out free art books as compensation, and deal with months of delays before new figures reached fans.
The Other Side of the Story
And that’s the other side of the story: Collector’s Editions are not always the win–win they appear to be. From the outside, it may look like fans are paying a premium and developers are pocketing the difference. In reality, producing a CE is a gamble—manufacturing, packaging, storage, and logistics all lock up resources months before release, and a single mistake can cost dearly.
IOI’s Potential with Bond
And yet, despite all these risks, that’s exactly what makes it so enjoyable to imagine what could be. In our heads, none of the production hurdles exist—only the chance to picture a 007: First Light Collector’s Edition filled with style, mystery, and a touch of danger.
Looking at IO Interactive’s own history with Hitman, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic. Their past CEs have featured brilliant details like a full Agent 47 briefcase replica, a bullet keyring, the ever-iconic rubber duck, and a signature coin—each item witty, stylish, and deeply tied to the game’s identity. And then there was their boldest move: the oversized cartoon statue of Agent 47 with his Silverballers. It was quirky, divisive, but for me personally it became one of the highlights of my gaming collection—an item I absolutely had to own at the time, and one I still love today.
That track record suggests that when it comes to James Bond, IOI has the creativity and courage to deliver something truly special.
What do you think? Which part of my wishlist do you like best, and which one least? What did I miss—and what’s at the very top of your own list for a 007: First Light Collector’s Edition?
