007 First Light composers held back Bond themes until players earn 007 status

Why scoring a young Bond was tricky

The composers behind the music for 007 First Light have described the unusual challenge of writing for a James Bond who has not yet become the spy audiences know. Joe Henson and Alexis Smith told TechRadar Gaming that the job was harder than it looks, because they had to keep the famous Bond sound out of the score until the character had earned it.

Henson said one of the central ideas of the game is Bond working his way towards his 007 status. For that reason, he and Smith decided to delay the memorable themes until the player had finished missions worthy of the number.

Teasing the themes players expect

Smith pointed out the tension at the heart of the project. Anyone buying a Bond game wants to feel like the spy they already know, he said, so the music had to hint at the familiar sound without giving it away too early.

He explained that the composers had plenty of discussion with the developer about this balance. In his view, the final result works because the themes are teased until the player truly deserves them. The game follows Bond in his late twenties, early in his career and still in training for the Double-0 programme, with the story building towards the moment he officially gains his agent number.

How Patrick Gibson shaped the music

Bond is played in the game by actor Patrick Gibson, and his performance influenced the score. Henson described him as witty and charming, with visible confidence and inner strength, qualities that suit a Bond at the start of his career.

The composers tried to give the music those same traits, Henson said: youthful but confident, matching this version of 007 and the world of his first adventure.

Ivor nomination for the score

The studio The Flight created the music, and its work has been recognised.

The ceremony takes place at Grosvenor House in London on 17 November 2026.