Decision follows Amazon's $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM in 2022, which owns the James Bond IP
IO Interactive will no longer self-publish future James Bond games, with MGM and Amazon Game Studios taking over the publishing responsibilities. The recent release of 007: First Light, which sold over 1.5 million copies within 24 hours, marked the end of IO Interactive's self-publishing era for the franchise. Amazon Game Studios' general manager, Jeff Gattis, explained that their involvement in future Bond games is a result of acquiring the IP from MGM. Gattis highlighted the strategic importance of Bond's IP in Amazon's transmedia approach, aiming to expand the franchise into various entertainment mediums like TV shows and movies.
Amazon Game Studios has faced setbacks in its gaming division, including the reported cancellation of the Lord of the Rings MMO in May. Despite not confirming the cancellation, Gattis mentioned that Amazon is working on a new gaming experience within the LOTR universe. Additionally, the closure of Glowmade's King of Meat multiplayer game due to audience reception issues and the cancellation of New World: Aeternum in January were part of Amazon's restructuring efforts affecting thousands of jobs.
