James Bond is almost back. IO Interactive’s 007 First Light launches in two days on May 27, 2026 – and it’s shaping up to be one of the most ambitious gaming projects of the year. But the build-up to release has been marred by a last-minute Denuvo DRM controversy that’s left a chunk of the PC fanbase furious.
A New Bond for a New Generation
007 First Light is a narrative action-adventure game developed and published entirely by IO Interactive – the team behind the Hitman World of Assassination trilogy. The game tells an original origin story of James Bond, following a young, reckless 26-year-old MI6 recruit (played by Patrick Gibson) as he works toward earning his 00 status. Think of it as the Bond equivalent of Batman Begins.
The cast is stacked. Gemma Chan features in the game, as does DJ Dimitri Vegas. The title song was composed by Lana Del Rey and David Arnold – a combination that has raised more than a few eyebrows in the best possible way. Missions span locations including the Grand Carpathian Hotel in Slovakia and a high-society tech gala in Kensington, London. IO Interactive’s signature approach – go loud, go silent, or bluff your way through – is front and centre.
The Denuvo Problem
Here’s where things get messy. On May 21 – just six days before launch – IO Interactive quietly updated the Steam listing to include Denuvo Anti-Tamper DRM. The announcement was not made prominently. Many players found out through community sleuthing rather than any official statement.
The backlash has been significant. Steam forum threads have filled up with refund requests and complaints. The core grievance isn’t just about Denuvo itself – it’s about the timing and the lack of transparency. Players who pre-ordered the game did so without knowing it would include kernel-level DRM. On top of performance concerns, Linux and Steam Deck players worry about compatibility issues when switching Proton versions.
007 First Light is far from the first game to quietly slip Denuvo in ahead of launch, but the pattern is wearing thin with PC gamers. Pre-orders were accepted for months without any mention of it – and that’s the part people are most angry about.
What to Expect at Launch
Despite the DRM drama, the game itself looks genuinely impressive. IO Interactive has been releasing a steady stream of pre-launch content – a full title sequence, a story trailer, a gameplay deep dive, and a “Beyond the Light” documentary series. The early hands-on coverage has been largely positive.
007 First Light releases May 27 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is confirmed for later in the year. Pre-orders come with a free Deluxe upgrade. The game is rated Teen (ESRB).
