After a long absence, IO Interactive is finally back at Gamescom (August 20–24), bringing 007: First Light along for the ride. We expect the big gameplay reveal to happen right here at the show, not in some event beforehand. In this article, we’ll dive into what that trailer might look like, how and where the game could be showcased or even playable on the floor, and what surprises the IOI booth outside of Hall 8 might have in store. Consider this your sneak peek into what Bond fans can look forward to—without spoiling all the fun just yet.
A Gameplay Trailer with a Mission
Photo credit: Koelnmesse/gamescom
If IO Interactive chooses to debut the next 007: First Light trailer during Gamescom Opening Night Live on August 19, 2025, at 8:00 PM CEST, it would set the tone for the entire event – giving fans their first substantial look at the game and putting Bond front and center from the very first day. A live countdown to the show is already running on our website, so fans can be ready the moment it starts.
The studio will want to do more than release a simple hype reel. The goal will be to prove that Bond belongs in the spotlight – blending its signature Hitman DNA with the major innovations that set this game apart, from an all-new combat system to a fully featured vehicle system. The gameplay will need to hit on every note: sprawling arena-style maps with shortcuts, verticality, and convincing crowd simulations; deep spycraft with infiltration, disguises, intel gathering, hacking, and secret extractions; and a mission framework where briefings with John Greenway, whispered earpiece updates from Moneypenny, and mid-operation reports to M keep MI6 actively involved in the field.
The trailer could seamlessly cut between multiple approaches to a mission – sneaking past guards, charming an NPC for access, deploying gadgets, picking locks, hacking systems, going loud with gunfire, or causing chaos with explosives. Gadgets are essential to the fantasy: the Omega Seamaster laser, the dart gun, and hopefully even wilder creations.
A sharp change of pace – perhaps driven by unexpected story twists – might show stealth giving way to sudden escalation, shifting the game into a more linear segment. This could mean a chase or a shootout. The close-quarters combat system is brand-new, promising cinematic disarms, weapon catches, bone-crunching throws, swordplay, empty pistols hurled at enemies, and environmental takedowns. Firearms should feel powerful enough to alter the environment, with debris, particle effects, and collapsing cover. Vehicles, from sleek supercars like the Aston Martin to rugged motorcycles, could get their own moment – showing off handling, gadgets, and damage modeling.
And perhaps, in the middle of that chaos, we meet a memorable henchman making his first appearance – the kind of slightly unhinged, larger-than-life foe in the tradition of Jaws or Oddjob, whose eccentric fighting style demands every ounce of Bond’s skill.
And somewhere in that cut, there has to be the big stunt: the kind of impossible, unforgettable set piece only a Bond story can deliver.
License to Brand
Gamescom could be the perfect stage for IO Interactive to start unveiling brand partnerships for 007: First Light – with the most likely first movers being the vehicle manufacturers: Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover (Defender/Range Rover), and Triumph Motorcycles. A well-timed announcement, paired with in-game footage, could easily become one of the show’s talking points.
Will this be the moment when the shrouded Aston Martin in Q’s lab is finally revealed? I’m betting on the Valhalla – a model with both Bond heritage and cutting-edge performance. Will we learn whether the Triumph motorcycle glimpsed in the reveal trailer is indeed the elusive F 250-X? Could the Defender – so far only spotted in the background on an MI6 training ground – finally take a more prominent role? And what about that mysterious red Jaguar – the one so quick it evaded even a frame-by-frame analysis of the reveal trailer?
If IOI follows the standard marketing playbook, official press releases could drop soon after the gameplay trailer – confirming the partnerships and releasing high-resolution stills of these brands in action.
While vehicles may steal the spotlight, IOI could also tease other premium collaborations: Leica hinting at in-game tech, Omega showcasing timepieces integrated with Bond’s gadgets, or Orlebar Brown unveiling one of his tailored outfits – subtle nods to the lifestyle, precision, and style that define 007.
Each reveal would not only confirm a brand partnership but also show how these icons of engineering and eleganceare woven into Bond’s world.
Live and Let Stream – How IOI Could Debut Gameplay
Photo credit: Kölnmesse/gamescom
When 007: First Light was unveiled in June’s reveal trailer, the footage suggested the game was still in its alpha development phase. And while fans would love to get their hands on a playable demo, it’s worth remembering what that would actually mean for the studio: building a public hands-on experience is a huge undertaking.
A show-ready demo has to be bug-free, visually polished, and stable – and tailored to run flawlessly on event hardware. That requires weeks, if not months, of work from multiple teams, pulling valuable resources away from finishing the main game. For a project on the scale of First Light, that’s a serious trade-off.
That’s why IO Interactive will most likely choose a more controlled approach.
- For press, this could mean private sessions where journalists can try the game in a guided setting, gather B-roll, and conduct interviews.
- For creators, IOI may have something even flashier planned. In a recent post on X, the studio’s Community Manager Samir Arabi-Eter teased an “organic opportunity” at Gamescom – one that’s invite-only and carries what he called “main character vibes”.
One plausible scenario? Letting top creators record or even stream gameplay live from the booth. It wouldn’t be unprecedented – Funcom pulled this off last year with Dune: Awakening, turning their booth into a mini broadcasting studio. The mix of exclusivity and real-time audience engagement could make these sessions instant viral moments.
And if the game reaches 1,000,000 wishlists during Gamescom – which feels entirely possible – fans would unlock a brand-new streaming overlay as a milestone reward. Invited creators could debut it live, giving the community an early glimpse while showing off fresh gameplay.
Adding to the intrigue, the latest exhibitor list quietly revealed that IO Interactive has booked an additional booth in the Business Area (Hall 4.1 | B021 C030).
As both a developer and a publisher for other studios, IOI naturally needs such spaces for industry meetings, press interviews, and behind-closed-doors discussions – potentially even about projects like Project Fantasy or Stone & Knight.
Still, this extra space could also hide small streaming studios for invite-only content capture, unless IOI opts for external locations such as hotel suites or private event venues.
Separately from influencer activities, IOI might also stream gameplay themselves – either directly from Gamescom or through guest slots with major media outlets like IGN, PC Gamer, or GameSpot. This way, even fans at home get fresh 007: First Light footage without missing a beat.
The IOI Booth – Bond’s Home Base in Cologne
For Gamescom 2025, IO Interactive’s public presence will be located on the outdoor area in Hall 8 North. In previous years, this open-air space has hosted large-scale brand activations – from towering stage setups and themed experiential zones to oversized props that draw visitors in from afar.
IOI’s booth (B030) will sit alongside other exhibitors such as Samsung Electronics and Realise Live, placing it in a high-visibility spot within the northern courtyard. Based on its footprint on the official floor map (see below), the booth likely measures around 120 m², offering enough room for a compact yet impactful setup. This could include a presentation stage for scheduled showcases, as well as a standout photo opportunity – for example, a Bond-worthy Aston Martin.
Given that Aston Martin is likely, alongside Coca-Cola, one of the game’s biggest brand partners, the presence of a real vehicle on-site would be a fitting way to underline the partnership’s importance.
If our suspicions prove correct, that car could well be the Aston Martin Valhalla – the supercar we expect to see in the game, and a perfect high-tech eyecatcher for a younger audience.
The 007 Show – Live Panels, Reveals, and Surprises
Throughout the day, the booth will almost certainly run both the reveal trailer and the anticipated gameplay trailer on a loop – until it’s time for special panels to take over. One realistic scenario is that developers could appear several times daily to present an extended version of the gameplay trailer, offering behind-the-scenes commentary and answering audience questions afterwards. Such sessions would give fans direct interaction with the studio while making the extended footage feel like an exclusive perk for visitors. Using pre-recorded material also reduces the risk of technical hiccups during a live show.
Then there’s what might be the worst-kept secret in the 007: First Light community – the casting of Patrick Gibson as James Bond and Lennie James as John Greenway. While IOI has yet to make an official announcement, Lennie James himself confirmed his and Gibson’s role in an interview. Many other MI6 members remain unknown to the public, making Gamescom the perfect stage for a character roundtable or even a Q&A session to introduce them.
Between these sessions, IOI could keep the energy high with giveaways and Bond-themed quiz rounds, challenging fans on their knowledge of the franchise and rewarding quick thinkers with exclusive merchandise or collectibles. This would not only draw in passers-by but also keep the crowd engaged between major stage moments.
One name to keep an eye on is Britanni Johnson – the host of this year’s IOI Showcase. She’s currently on a European tour, has already stopped by IO Interactive, and has Gamescom on her itinerary. Could she be set to return as the on-stage host for the Cologne program?
Beyond the Show Floor – What Else Might Be Revealed?
While Gamescom will likely focus on gameplay and the fan experience, IO Interactive could still have other major announcements lined up:
- Release Window Confirmation – Based on the current pace of reveals and the game’s apparent development stage, a launch in summer 2026 feels plausible. Even if that’s just an educated guess for now, Gamescom could be the moment to at least lock in a season or quarter.
- Special and Collector’s Editions – Pre-order incentives, exclusive in-game items, or physical Bond memorabilia could be revealed alongside the gameplay trailer.
- Localization Updates – Few topics stir as much discussion online as language support. Vocal communities from countries like Turkey and Brazil have already voiced concerns over the lack of confirmed Turkish or Brazilian Portuguese. While some players will adapt to a release with English voice-over only – confirmed so far – a AAA title, especially tied to a globally recognized brand like James Bond, is expected by many to offer a broader range of localized audio alongside its translated text. For action-heavy games, the right localization can greatly enhance immersion and accessibility.
- Post-Launch Roadmap – From free content updates to paid expansions, IOI might outline how they plan to keep players engaged after release.
- The Soundtrack – Whether it’s an original score, a reimagined Bond theme, or a surprising collaboration with a well-known artist, music could be another headline-grabber.
With so many cards still left to play, IO Interactive has every opportunity to leave a lasting impression – both on the gamers flocking to Cologne and on Bond fans around the globe watching Gamescom unfold. Stay with ExpectingMrBond.com for live coverage and more insights from the show floor.
