007 First Light Will Not Offer Preload On Steam Or Xbox, Leaving PlayStation 5 As The Only Platform With Early Download

007 First Light launches this week across PC and consoles, but players on Steam and Xbox will not be able to preload the game before release. IO Interactive has confirmed that PlayStation 5 will be the only platform with preload access, due to mandatory platform requirements from Sony.

The confirmation came from IO Interactive representative Arti IOI through the game’s official subreddit, where the studio clarified that Steam and Xbox players will only be able to begin downloading the game once the official release time arrives.

“I unfortunately have to confirm that 007 First Light will not have a preload on Steam or Xbox. The earliest point to download the game on Steam and Xbox will be tied to the official release time. PlayStation will be the only platform with preload, as it is mandatory on the platform.”
— Arti IOI

IO Interactive has not provided an official reason for skipping preload on Steam and Xbox. However, the decision arrives during a period when major releases have faced leak risks shortly before launch, including recent cases where unreleased games surfaced early. While piracy and early access concerns may be part of the reasoning, the studio has not confirmed that as the cause.

The decision has frustrated many players, especially those who pre ordered the game expecting to jump into the new James Bond origin story as soon as possible. The issue is amplified by the game’s reported 80 GB download size, which could take hours for players with slower internet connections.

One Reddit user expressed frustration with the platform disparity, saying that Steam and Xbox players may feel undervalued compared with PlayStation users.

“I understand you are just one person, and are not at all responsible for this decision. But please pass along that this is incredibly frustrating to be treated as a lesser platform in this way. It makes consumers feel undervalued.”
— fishingforwoos

Another user pointed out that the lack of preload weakens the value of the game’s 24 hour early launch window for players who bought early access.

“Considering you offered a 24 hour earlier launch window for those of us that bought the game early, you are now effectively telling us that despite that we will now have to wait for the 80gb game to download first, for some that can take hours if they have slow internet, so the 24 hours early launch is practically useless, very disappointing when you promised something and then don't fully deliver, at least give people a few hours head start. This isn't the way to treat loyal fans who have pre ordered the game.”
— Sad Ad 6414

The criticism is understandable. Preload has become a standard expectation for large modern releases, especially when publishers offer early access incentives. For players who paid extra or purchased early to begin playing immediately, waiting for a large download at launch can significantly reduce the practical value of that bonus.

The decision also creates an uneven launch experience between platforms. PlayStation 5 players will be able to prepare ahead of release, while Steam and Xbox players will need to wait until launch time to download the full game. Even if the final gameplay experience is identical, the opening hours will feel very different depending on platform and internet speed.

Despite the preload controversy, 007 First Light is still expected to deliver a strong technical experience. IO Interactive has previously positioned the game as targeting 60 FPS across platforms, with the exception of Xbox Series S, where the system’s lower RAM and GPU headroom limit performance expectations.

The game remains one of the most anticipated releases of the week, especially as it offers a new origin story for James Bond from the studio behind Hitman. However, the preload decision has created an unnecessary launch day friction point, particularly for PC and Xbox players who expected modern platform parity.

For now, players on Steam and Xbox should prepare for the download to begin only at the official release time, while PlayStation 5 users will be able to preload ahead of launch.

Do you think preload should be standard for every major digital release, especially when a game includes early access bonuses?