Amazon backtracks on Bond sequel developer comments, but won't rule out buying IOI

Amazon Gaming's Jeff Gattis walked back earlier comments suggesting the 007 First Light sequel would be developed by MGM or Amazon Game Studios rather than IO Interactive. He clarified that no decisions have been made about who will develop or publish the next Bond game. However, he acknowledged that buying IOI outright is "theoretically possible."

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Amazon really confounded us all last month when, following the successful launch of 007 First Light, Amazon Gaming general manager Jeff Gattis mused that sequels would be "done by MGM and, theoretically, by Amazon Game Studios." Given that so many people—barring one uncontroversial and universally beloved PC Gamer writer—rather liked IOI's Bond game, it was incomprehensible to suggest yanking it away from the studio.

Well, I guess Amazon itself has realised what a boneheaded move that would be, because in a recent chat with GI.biz , Gattis clarified that—insofar as the developer of the next 007 game is concerned—nothing is set in stone. "We did not confirm anything about who's publishing or developing the next Bond sequel… we haven't even discussed it really yet. The game's awesome. That's great. I think it's realistic to think that there would be a sequel."

Then he states the obvious: "Given the success of this one, I think you probably want IOI developing it." Taken in tandem with an earlier comment, that "Technically, Amazon does own the rights to the game, but we're going to do what's right by the game, we're not trying to bring everything into Amazon," it does at least sound like the megacorp knows it would be a bad idea to suddenly bring Bond games in-house, though it looks like Amazon will at least be publishing any new games in the series.

Still, don't get too comfortable. Gattis did add that "anything's possible" when asked about the notion of Amazon buying IOI, but noted that there are "no conversations about that right now."

Given the bumpy ride IOI had as a subsidiary of Square Enix, I can't imagine it's overeager to jump into bed with a new owner. Then again, Amazon has Amazon money. Never say never, and don't go wishing for an IO-developed 007 Second Light on any monkey's paws you have lying around.

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