Seán McLoughlin, widely known as Jacksepticeye, has been integrated into IO Interactive's Hitman as a new Elusive Target. Players can attempt to eliminate McLoughlin's character, Finn Colton, who is depicted as a satirical take on content creators, particularly within the "manosphere." The target will be available in the game for a limited time, concluding on November 25.
McLoughlin discussed the collaboration, stating that it originated from his previous engagement with the Hitman series. He expressed a preference for portraying a fictional character over himself, finding it more engaging to embody a "flanderized" version of online personalities. He described the development process as highly collaborative, with IO Interactive actively seeking his input on dialogue and characterization. He was particularly impressed by the studio's efficiency and the modular nature of their level design, noting how quickly they could implement changes and generate extensive dialogue coverage.
McLoughlin also touched upon his involvement in the upcoming Bloodborne film. He confirmed that significant progress has been made, with the story mapped out and key personnel in place. While specific announcements regarding cast and timeline are forthcoming, he expressed pride in the work being done, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of adapting such a monumental intellectual property. He believes an animated approach is best suited for Bloodborne's otherworldly elements, allowing for greater creative freedom than a live-action adaptation, which he suggests would be prohibitively expensive and potentially less effective.
Beyond his work with Hitman and Bloodborne, McLoughlin shared his thoughts on the success of his game, Dispatch, and his desire for more content in that universe. He also reflected on his own experience attempting to develop a game, highlighting the immense difficulty and complexity involved in game creation. This experience, he noted, taught him valuable lessons in team management, expectation setting, and the importance of clear focus. He is currently involved in funding and advising a smaller team on a game that is not his own idea, a role he finds enjoyable as a producer.
Regarding the growing trend of YouTubers transitioning into filmmaking, McLoughlin defended the creative endeavors of individuals like Kane Parsons (Backrooms) and Georgie Films (Milk). He argued that labeling them simply as "YouTubers turned filmmakers" dismisses their prior experience and established filmmaking skills, suggesting that their online presence is merely a current platform for their existing cinematic ambitions. He drew parallels to established filmmakers who, had the internet existed in their early careers, might have similarly used platforms like YouTube to hone their craft.