When IO Interactive and Sony announced a 007 First Light PS5 controller inspired by the game, people quickly pointed out that the controller’s design looked like it was meant to evoke James Bond’s trademark barrel logo. Except it didn’t really, and it turns out that was by design.
Art director Rasmus Poulsen told Eurogamer that what IO was trying to achieve was to reference “more how the UI of the game feels.”
“So rather than simply making a franchise stamp, it relates to our product, in the sense that it has that UI sense–and then it has more of a, dare I say, ‘Sun’ flavor, referring back to the title,” he said. “So there’s some things about light and shadow that we wanted to play with.”
IO avoided going with the trademark gun barrel design because, “Everybody can do just a gun barrel.” Instead, IO wanted to put its own stamp on things and the straight lines reference the sun, which harkens back to the game’s title, First Light.
The controller sports a golden finish, too, which is meant to be a tribute to the “elegance, legacy, and timeless style” of the James Bond series, Poulsen said in April when the controller was designed.
At the time, he also said the controller has “barrel-inspired detailing” meant to reflect “the themes of the game and how it feels to play it.” He also said that while it’s not the barrel design you may immediately recognize, it is a “nod” to it.
You can preorder the First Light PS5 controller now on PlayStation Direct for $85.
First Light releases May 27 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a Switch 2 version coming later. GameSpot recently played some of the game and managing editor Tamoor Hussain thinks it could be Game of the Year and the best James Bond game ever.