Queen's Death Prompts IO to Adjust 007 First Light

During early development of 007 First Light, the team faced an unexpected rewrite situation - not due to internal studio issues, but because of a world-changing event: the passing of Queen Elizabeth II of England.

A Historic Shift for Britain's Spy

While the news was monumental, the script adjustments were relatively minor - mainly updating references from "Queen and country" to "King and country," and changing "Her Majesty's Secret Service" to "His Majesty's Secret Service."

"The changes were subtle but meaningful," explained Martin Emborg, First Light's narrative director. "We didn't need major rewrites, but recording the new lines acknowledging a male monarch felt significant. For the first time in the franchise's history, we're portraying Bond in a new royal era."

This marks a historic first for the 007 franchise - all previous Bond stories from Ian Fleming's novels to Daniel Craig's final film No Time To Die existed during Queen Elizabeth II's reign. The last Bond film released just a year before her passing.

Embracing a New Royal Era

"It doesn't feel strange," Emborg noted. "If anything, there's a profound respect for this continuity. These traditions predate us all and have inspired generations. Working within this legacy is like entering a vast creative playground."

For more background on the project, read about how IO Interactive used Daniel Craig's likeness in Hitman to secure the Bond rights. Also explore our coverage of the new James Bond casting and the studio CEO's reflections on publishing MindsEye after its troubled launch.

For an in-depth look at 007 First Light, check out our comprehensive preview featuring exclusive gameplay and story details.