The world-spanning spy adventures of James Bond are finally set to return to gaming after a pretty sizeable hiatus, with Hitman developer IO Interactive preparing to take the reins on a new 007 game. Considering the elegant shooter elements present in the Hitman games, the return of the world’s premier gadget-gripping, case-cracking, and Bond-girl bedding MI-6 agent would seem all-but-assured to be in appropriate hands, with a potential franchise starter on the way.

Taking a decidedly fresh approach to the character, this new game is set to follow a completely original story with no ties to previous Bond actors such as Pierce Brosnan or the more recent Daniel Craig iteration. Discussing a bit about the studio’s plans, IO Interactive CEO and co-owner Hakan Abrak recently dropped a few lines regarding the approach to source material as well as the importance to create a “completely original story” in an interview with IGN.

“The passion needs to be there, so it was very important for us that it wasn’t a movie adaptation. So, it wasn’t a game about… a specific movie, where the story has already been told,” Abrak said. “It’s very important that we could create a digital Bond. A Bond for the gaming industry… So it’s a completely original story. This felt really, really important for us and we conveyed that to [James Bond owner] EON and they agreed that the result would probably be better doing it like that.”

We’re not only inspired by one movie, or games and whatnot. We’re inspired by the whole thing, and just sucking things into us to make an original Bond, an original story, but that is absolutely true and recognizable in the values there is in Bond. I’m really looking forward to creating a new community that the gamers can call their own.”

The rights-holders at Eon have long been selective of who might adapt Bond for the video game medium, with the production house finally relenting after two years of pitching from IO Interactive. While this project’s details are likely to stay top-secret for the foreseeable future, the idea of a Hitman-style new 007 game is definitely an interesting prospect, even more so if the studio’s plans were enough to convince Eon to sway the suave spy from his extended and sweeping seclusion.

What do you think? Are you excited about the new 007 game from IO Interactive, or are you still just waiting for the latest live-action James Bond movie to come out already? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more headlines recently featured on DFTG, check out these next few news stories:

If you enjoy this writer’s work, please consider supporting them by tossing a Ko-fi their way! Every little bit helps and aims to keep DFTG independent and free of bias. Thank you so much for your support! Eric Hall @ Ko-fi