For a brief moment in Game Informer’s video “Exclusive: 007 First Light vs. Hitman – What’s Different? | Cover Story Interview”, a design document by IOI appears on a monitor. It is easy to miss. But the few visible lines are revealing.

What initially looks like a standard collectible system hints at something more layered. Rather than scattering optional objects across its levels, IO Interactive appears to be structuring collectibles in a way that supports narrative context, cultural setting, and even Bond’s personal history.

The video offers only a short glimpse, yet it outlines a clear direction — one built around three distinct categories: Intel, Mementos, and Swiss Playing Cards.

Intel – Lore You Can Revisit

The category labeled Intel includes dossiers, files, notes, reports, and emails. Interacting with these items unlocks entries in Bond’s Journal.

That detail matters. Information does not simply trigger an objective update and disappear. It remains accessible as readable text. In other words, 007 First Light appears to treat intelligence not only as gameplay mechanics, but as lore.

Instead of relying solely on cutscenes to deliver context, the game seems designed to let players discover background information themselves — maybe political tensions, organizational structures, character relationships, and possibly even subtle hints hidden in plain sight. In an origin story where alliances and institutions are still forming, a lore-driven journal system supports deeper immersion and rewards curiosity beyond the immediate mission objective.

Mementos – Souvenirs and Narrative Context

The second category, Mementos, is described as mission souvenirs collected through direct interaction. The term itself suggests objects that are closely tied to the specific locations Bond visits — tangible reminders of a place and its story.

A plausible example of how this could work would be a small statue of Saint George found in the Grand Carpathian Hotel. A Saint George crest is visible in the wine cellar scene, and the figure is part of regional folklore. A collectible based on that motif would feel naturally anchored in both the environment and the cultural background of the setting. It would function as a true souvenir — something emerging from the world Bond is operating in.

In the design document shown in the video, however, a gold ring is visible next to the explanatory text. Based on the available screen resolution, the ring appears to carry an octopus motif resembling the classic Spectre symbol.

If the ring appears as a mission-specific Memento, it would suggest that Spectre — or at least its symbolism — plays a role in the story of 007 First Light. In that case, the object would be integrated into the narrative context of the level.

The alternative would be that Mementos serve as Easter eggs drawn from across Bond’s history — recognizable to fans but not directly connected to the events of the mission in which they appear. A Spectre ring could then operate primarily as a nostalgic reference.

However, IO Interactive has indicated that these objects are meant to be “rooted to the location”. If that principle holds, a purely franchise-driven Easter egg seems less likely. A souvenir disconnected from its setting would sit uneasily with that design approach.

Swiss Playing Cards – New Details About Bond’s Childhood

The third category, Swiss-German Playing Cards, is described as cards Bond used to play with his mother, Monique Delacroix, during his childhood in Switzerland.

Ian Fleming established Bond’s Swiss maternal heritage and the fatal mountain accident in the Alps. The Reveal Trailer of 007 First Light added further specificity: Bond was eleven years old at the time of the accident and survived after his parents cut the rope to save him.

The Swiss Playing Cards shown in the design document build on that foundation. By linking the cards directly to Bond’s mother, IO Interactive adds a concrete detail to his early life. Where Fleming established the tragedy and the Reveal Trailer clarified its circumstances, the playing cards point to everyday childhood before that loss.

The card design visible alongside the document resembles Swiss-German playing cards used for games such as Jass, featuring the suits Acorns (Eichel), Roses (Rosen), Shields (Schild), and Bells (Schellen). A traditional deck consists of 36 cards — nine per suit — which could indicate a structured collectible set within the game. The exact number has not been confirmed.

Whether the cards ultimately function primarily as structured collectibles or carry additional narrative resonance remains unclear. What is evident is that IO Interactive is weaving Bond’s childhood directly into gameplay exploration while building coherently on Fleming’s foundation.

Collectibles and Skin Unlocks

As confirmed last year, Bond’s outfit skins in 007 First Light are purely cosmetic and have no direct gameplay impact. Around Gamescom 2025, it was already suggested that additional skins — for Bond himself or his gadgets — could be unlocked through mission-based achievements.

Within that framework, the collectible categories outlined above could plausibly form part of those unlock conditions. Tying Intel, Mementos, or Swiss Playing Cards to progression milestones would connect exploration and worldbuilding directly to cosmetic rewards.

If you want to explore the key takeaways from the full Game Informer cover story on 007 First Light, we’ve covered the most important revelations in a separate article.

Sources:
YouTube.com – Exclusive: 007 First Light vs. Hitman – What’s Different? | Cover Story Interview
PocketTactics.com – Finally, 007 First Light is going to tell me about James Bond’s mother