YouTuber Jacksepticeye, whose real name is Seán William McLoughlin, recently shared a disheartening update in his video titled 'A Bad Month.' He disclosed that he had been working on an animated adaptation of the critically acclaimed survival horror game, Soma, for a full year, only for the project to unexpectedly fall apart. This revelation left him feeling "quite upset."
Soma, developed by Frictional Games—the creators of the Amnesia series—was released in 2015 to widespread praise. Jacksepticeye, a known fan of the game, had streamed it extensively upon its release and often cites it as one of his top favorites. His passion for Soma fueled his excitement for the animated show, which he had been discussing with the game's developers for a year, preparing to go into full production.
In the video, Jacksepticeye expressed his deep disappointment after an unnamed party suggested they wanted to take the project "in a different direction." This sudden shift led to the project's abrupt cancellation, causing him significant emotional distress. He chose not to delve into specifics due to his upset state, and he did not name the other parties involved. IGN has reached out to Frictional Games for comment on this matter.
The cancellation of the Soma animated show has thrown Jacksepticeye's plans for 2025 into disarray. He had structured his year around the project, intending to focus his efforts on it and share the final product with his audience. The collapse of the project has left him questioning his priorities and next steps, describing the situation as frustrating and disheartening.
Following the release of Soma, Frictional Games continued to expand the Amnesia series with titles like Amnesia: Rebirth in 2020 and Amnesia: The Bunker in 2023. In a statement made after the release of Amnesia: The Bunker, Frictional's creative director, Thomas Grip, mentioned that the company is looking to explore themes beyond horror, aiming to focus on other emotional qualities in their games. This shift in focus could be indicative of the broader creative directions influencing their decisions, including the potential impact on projects like Jacksepticeye's Soma animated show.
