Do the Unexpected
Greenway has one recurring message throughout 007 First Light: “Do the unexpected.” Judging by Jack’s arrival, IO Interactive seems to have taken that advice to heart.
Months after the game’s launch, few expected IO Interactive to revive the Wishlist Milestones at all. Even fewer would have guessed that the reward for reaching seven million wishlists wouldn’t be another outfit, gadget skin or streaming overlay—but an adorable four-legged companion.
Once the community reaches the milestone, the faithful bulldog will move into the TacSim lobby as what appears to be 007 First Light‘s very first animal companion. Exactly what he can do remains a mystery. Will he simply wander the office? Can players pet him? Might he even perform a few tricks? For now, IO Interactive is keeping those details under wraps.
One thing seems likely, however. With Dr. Selina Tan and the rest of the TacSim staff spending their days in the facility, the newest member of the team probably won’t go unnoticed for long.
The Story Behind MI6’s Most Loyal Bulldog
Long-time Bond fans will instantly recognize Jack.
The bulldog is inspired by the famous Royal Doulton ceramic figure that became a familiar sight on M’s desk throughout much of Daniel Craig’s era, quietly evolving into one of the most recognizable visual motifs of the modern Bond films.
Like Bond himself, Jack endured more than his fair share. He survived Silva’s devastating attack on MI6 in Skyfall (2012) and remained a familiar sight throughout Spectre (2015) and No Time to Die (2021). That makes IO Interactive‘s choice feel particularly well judged. Just like the Craig films, 007 First Light also sees MI6 come under devastating attack, making Jack a wonderfully fitting callback to one of the headquarters’ most enduring symbols.
Few may realize, however, that Jack’s story began long before Daniel Craig’s Bond. The famous Royal Doulton bulldog dates back to 1941, when art director Charles Noke created a trio of ceramic bulldogs named Jack, Patch and Alfie. The Union Flag-draped Jack later chosen for Skyfall was already part of that original collection. Long regarded as a symbol of British resilience and determination, the bulldog made the perfect companion for M, whose unwavering leadership reflected many of the same qualities. More than seventy years after Jack’s creation, Royal Doulton revived the classic design for Skyfall.
Bond himself initially wasn’t impressed, famously dismissing the little ceramic figure as “ugly.” By the end of No Time to Die, however, M had left Jack to Bond in her will—a quiet reminder that the once-overlooked bulldog had become part of the Craig era’s identity.
Jack also carries a rather personal story for me. When Royal Doulton released the Skyfall edition in 2012, I knew I wanted one for my Bond collection. Unfortunately, it had already sold out across Europe, making it surprisingly difficult to find.
After quite a bit of searching, I eventually found a tiny ceramics shop in Australia that somehow still had a few left in stock. Jack travelled halfway around the world before finally arriving safely at my home. Much like his on-screen counterpart, he turned out to be surprisingly resilient.
Could Jack Bring Some Friends?
One small detail makes Jack’s arrival even more intriguing.
Rather than simply adding Jack as another reward, IO Interactive has created an entirely new animal category complete with its own icon. That suggests the bulldog may not remain TacSim’s only four-legged resident.
If the bulldog really is only the beginning, Bond history offers no shortage of memorable companions. More companions would give players another enjoyable way to personalize MI6 headquarters:
Blofeld’s white Turkish Angora cat (first seen in From Russia with Love, 1963) – First appearing in From Russia with Love before returning throughout Blofeld’s cinematic history—including You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Spectre (2015)—the elegant white cat has become one of the defining symbols of the Bond franchise and arguably its most iconic animal.
The St. Bernard (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969) – The friendly rescue dog carrying its famous brandy barrel may only appear briefly, but remains one of the franchise’s most charming canine companions.
Max the Parrot (For Your Eyes Only, 1981) – One of the few Bond animals to actively influence the story, Max inadvertently reveals the location of the stolen ATAC by repeating a crucial clue that sends Bond to St. Cyril’s Monastery. He later returns for one final comic moment in the film’s closing scene.
Octopussy’s blue-ringed octopus (Octopussy, 1983) – Perhaps not roaming freely through MI6 headquarters, but an aquarium housing Octopussy’s namesake blue-ringed octopus would make for a brilliant Easter egg. More than just a pet, the octopus became the defining symbol of Octopussy’s organization, appearing on rings, embroidered robes and other visual motifs that remain instantly recognizable to Bond fans
Sanchez’s iguana (Licence to Kill, 1989) – Perched on Franz Sanchez’s shoulder and sporting a diamond-studded collar, the iguana perfectly reflected the drug lord’s extravagant lifestyle. It remains one of the Bond franchise’s most unusual companion animals—and would certainly bring some tropical personality to the TacSim lobby.
Q’s Sphynx cats (No Time to Die, 2021) – Introduced in Daniel Craig’s final outing as Bond, Q’s pair of hairless Sphynx cats quickly became memorable thanks to Bond’s wonderfully dry remark: “You know, they come with fur these days.” They would make perfect companions for Jack in the TacSim lobby.
Bond’s history also features plenty of larger and more dangerous creatures. From the tarantula in Dr. No (1962) and the snake famously dispatched with Bond’s improvised flamethrower in Live and Let Die (1973), to the python from Moonraker (1979), the tiger from Octopussy (1983), the Komodo dragon in Skyfall (2012) and, of course, the sharks that have become one of the franchise’s longest-running villain trademarks from Thunderball (1965) to Licence to Kill (1989), they all seem a little less suited to life inside MI6.
Then again, I can’t help but think a shark tank beneath TacSim’s circular projection platform would make for a spectacular Bond-inspired centrepiece—even if MI6’s health and safety department would probably have a few objections.
Why Now?
That leaves one final question: why bring back the Wishlist Milestones months after 007 First Light has already launched?
The timing, just days before gamescom, is hard to ignore. With the Nintendo Switch 2 version playable on the show floor, IO Interactive could be expecting a fresh wave of attention to push the community towards the seven million milestone.
Gamescom also feels like the natural stage to reveal more of the first Year One story expansion centred around Bawma. And then there’s The Pearl. If the mysterious figure taking over the luxury resort turns out to be a well-known actor or public personality—similar to Hitman‘s celebrity collaborations—that reveal alone could generate plenty of buzz beyond the Bond community.
Whether the renewed focus on Wishlist Milestones is simply timed to coincide with gamescom—or hints that more reveals are just around the corner—we won’t have to wait long to find out. Gamescom Opening Night Live begins on August 25, with the exhibition halls opening the following day.
