From VFS to 007 – 5 alumni credited on AAA hit First Light

Few franchises have stood the test of time like James Bond. Created by author Ian Fleming in 1953 and brought to the big screen in 1962, the exploits of the world’s greatest secret agent have captivated audiences for more than 70 years across novels, films, television, comics, and video games.

In June of 2025, 007 First Light was officially announced. Five months later, it was nominated for Most Anticipated Game at The Game Awards. Despite having only a debut trailer, the power of James Bond’s legacy was enough to garner a nomination.

And when First Light was finally released on May 27, 2026, the high-octane experience gamers were promised was delivered (and then some!). With 2.7 million units sold in the first week of release alone, First Light is undoubtedly already a Game of the Year contender.

While James Bond “earned the number” in the franchise’s latest installment, 5 Vancouver Film School alumni earned a coveted credit on the AAA hit. This week, we’re celebrating our alumni’s achievement on First Light, from design to audio, producing, and more. 

MEET THE 5 VFS ALUMNI CREDITED ON 007 FIRST LIGHT

The five Vancouver Film School alumni credited on First Light come from VFS’s Game Design, Film Production, Sound Design for Visual Media, and 3D Animation & Visual Effects programs:

• Santiago Castro, Senior Game Designer
• Celine Gil, Senior Audio and Narrative Producer
• Maria Lee, Producer
• Robin Andersen, Special Thanks
• Frank Munro, Special Thanks

Together, these alumni represent the diverse range of creative disciplines required to bring a AAA game to life in today’s industry. From game design and production to audio and visual storytelling, their contributions to First Light highlight the impact that our graduates are making across the global gaming industry.

FIRST LIGHT LAUNCHES TO CRITICAL AND COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

The long-awaited return of James Bond to video games has already proven to be a major success. Developed by IO Interactive, 007 First Light launched to widespread acclaim from critics and players alike, earning a Metacritic score of 88 and being hailed by many outlets as the best Bond game in decades.

The title also delivered impressive commercial results, selling 1.5 million copies within its first 24 hours and surpassing three million copies in its first 10 days, making it the fastest-selling game in IO Interactive's history. For the five Vancouver Film School alumni credited on the project, the game's success represents a remarkable achievement in their careers – not to mention some pretty sweet bragging rights.

LAUNCH YOUR GAME DEVELOPMENT CAREER AT VFS

In 2026, Vancouver Film School was recognized as the #1 Game Design School in Canada by The Princeton Review, marking the sixth year VFS has received this honour. Most recently, we were also named the #1 Game Design School in Canada by GAME Education.

But VFS is more than just accolades – it’s about launching your game dev career in just 1 short year of hands-on industry training. And as the VFS alumni credits on 007 First Light demonstrate, there are many pathways into this industry. While our Game Design program prepares students for careers designing gameplay systems and player experiences, graduates from programs like Programming for Games, Web & Mobile, 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Sound Design for Visual Media, and Film Production also play vital roles in bringing games to life.

Whether your passion is design, storytelling, audio, animation, production, or visual effects, VFS offers industry-focused training that launches your career in one of the world's fastest-growing industries.

Ready to start your main quest? Explore VFS's programs and connect with an Admissions Advisor to discover which path aligns with your creative career goals.

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