The James Bond franchise had been hesitant to delve into another video game following the underwhelming reception of their recent titles such as "007: Blood Stone" and "007 Legends." However, the interest shifted when IO Interactive, known for the Hitman series, approached them with a fresh concept for a game, Project 007. IO's co-owners encountered initial resistance but eventually sold the idea of a game that focused less on overt violence and more on critical espionage activities.

Project 007 promises an original storyline and what's been described as an "agent fantasy" experience. This project led the developer to put the popular Hitman series on pause to focus on the creation of Project 007. Furthermore, IO Interactive is expanding its portfolio with the development of an online fantasy RPG. Details on both the James Bond game and the RPG are still limited, but their development signifies a new creative direction for the studio.