MindsEye Director Leslie Benzies Reveals What to Expect From Launch, the Arcadia System, and the Future

by

Numerous enthusiasts eagerly looking forward to the postponed “Grand Theft Auto 6” are equally thrilled about the upcoming action-adventure game, “MindsEye,” being developed by Build a Rocket Boy. In “MindsEye,” players assume the character of Jacob Diaz, a man suffering from amnesia who has a neural implant called MindsEye in his brain. Set in the futuristic desert city of Redrock, Jacob Diaz encounters political turmoil, perpetual perils, and unraveling mysteries about his past life.

GameRant interviewed Leslie Benzies, director of MindsEye, about aspects such as Redrock City’s environment, the depiction of human-technology dynamics, vehicle and drone gameplay, among others. Previously involved in the Grand Theft Auto series, Benzies characterized MindsEye as a hopeful exploration of how humans and technology might harmoniously exist within an “impending Americana” backdrop. He also delved into details about the Arcadia system, enabling players to create their custom missions and levels, and shared insights on Build a Rocket Boy’s future plans. The transcript has been revised for clarity and conciseness.

Redrock: A City Where Man And Technology Co-Exist

A: Could you please discuss the creative steps involved in crafting the unique urban landscape of MindsEye, which seamlessly combines the arid expanse of a desert wasteland with advanced futuristic elements, represented by the city of Redrock?

In simpler terms, Redrock is a future version of America that resembles our current world but with unique differences. This depiction of the future combines elements of both futuristic and science fiction genres, reflecting the significant impact that technology has on all of us in today’s world.

In constructing such environments, one strives for authenticity, aiming to design a place that feels genuine and engaging, yet subtly highlights aspects that might otherwise go unnoticed while navigating vast urban landscapes.

In the realm of a game like MindsEye, it offers me a platform to weave tales not just about the universe we’re building, but the one we all live in, subtly prompting us to ponder on aspects that warrant a second look. My inspirations for these elements are always rooted in reality instead of other forms of media. I believe this approach is crucial in creating a space that feels relatable and consistent while maintaining a spark of intrigue.

Q: Why did you choose a desert setting for your central location?

Redrock is situated right smack in the heart of the desert, lending it an intriguing allure from the get-go. This advanced city stands amidst expansive, capricious landscapes, creating a striking visual contrast that enriches the immersive experience of the game world. It’s a locale where artificial intelligence, drones, implants, and automation predominantly manage systems. Major corporations are developing the technology, while the government grapples with maintaining control, and this tension is deeply embedded within the game itself.

Gameplay-wise, the setup offers versatility. The city provides structure, opportunities for vertical traversal, and tightly packed battlefields. Conversely, the desert presents expansive areas, vehicle options, and aerial exploration. It serves as the scenic backdrop for the overall experience, as well as for numerous gameplay updates that are planned ahead.

A: Which practical or theoretical modern technologies have served as the main influences for the advancements depicted in MindsEye?

B: Our fascination lies with various technologies, but artificial intelligence particularly captivates us. Throughout history, human beings have developed tools to aid them in achieving greatness. Whenever technology undergoes a significant transformation, there’s an underlying concern that humans might be overshadowed. This has been the case with calculators and computers, and now it seems to be repeating itself with AI.

As our most precious resource, time, becomes increasingly precious, it’s crucial that we adopt AI technology, enabling us to unlock greater creativity and productivity in our daily lives – indeed, this seems like a beneficial step forward. However, it’s essential to remember that human creativity and ingenuity will always hold unique value, and no technology can ever replicate the depth and complexity of the human spirit.

MindsEye Tells A Cinematic Story With Varied Gameplay

A: Building a character like Jacob Diaz, who is the main character but remains such a mystery due to his shattered and lost memories, presented quite a challenge. How did you approach constructing this enigmatic protagonist with so few recollections of his own identity and past experiences?

In the course of Jacob’s adventure, there is an underlying feeling of confusion about reality. At the beginning, he’s tormented by a past that he can’t completely recall, and as events progress, he gradually reconstructs his forgotten past. The players discover this past alongside him, which means they experience the emotional highs and lows in real-time.

In creating our project, we didn’t intentionally mimic any particular movie or game. However, we’ve always been influenced by visionary directors such as J.J. Abrams, Ridley Scott, and Christopher Nolan. These filmmakers delve into existential themes and aren’t shy about experimenting with visual styles. For our production, MindsEye, we strived to embody that cinematic essence while maintaining a strong emotional connection.

In Jacob’s narrative, certain aspects are subtly conveyed through hints, actions, camera work, and brief dialogues. His decisions aren’t always straightforward, and his intentions sometimes remain unclear. This vagueness gives the impression of humanity. He isn’t portrayed as a hero; instead, he is depicted as an individual on a journey to discover himself and grapple with what has been done to him.

A: Could you provide any information about the characters, Silva and Vega, who seem to be at odds in the new MindsEye trailer, and what roles they might play within the game?

B: We catch a peek at its encompassing impact – household robots handle majority of manual chores, while an intelligent system links surveillance gadgets throughout. The city serves as a vibrant testament to the existential possibilities of humans and machines.

The unstable alliance between Silva and Vega – Big Tech and Government – is on the verge of shaping Redrock’s and its residents’ future, particularly Jacob Diaz, the main character in MindsEye, as he endeavors to unearth truths about his tumultuous past.

In this storyline, we encounter fascinating personalities like Marco Silva, an unusual tech maverick who established Silva Industries, harboring a vision to alter human evolution’s trajectory. Additionally, Shiva Vega, the ambitious mayor of Redrock, is introduced. Her relentless pursuit is to transform Redrock into the most secure city globally and exert even more influence over its residents.

A: I’m quite thrilled about the focus on driving in the game. It seems incredibly swift and disorderly, which is intriguing. Can you tell me what led to the inclusion of driving as a significant aspect of the game design?

Our passion lies in racing games, and we’ve crafted the experience in MindsEye to be both thrilling and authentic. Our primary focus has been on creating realistic vehicle physics and responsive handling that adapt to varying terrain and weather conditions. Yet, we aim to recreate the heart-pounding excitement of high-speed pursuits, akin to what you’d experience in an action movie. To achieve this, we’ve employed subtle camera techniques that amplify the sensation of speed and control, making every turn and drift feel dynamic. We offer a diverse selection of vehicles tailored for various playing styles, and we’ve interwoven driving into the storyline.

Q: What real-world vehicles inspired the ones seen in the game, such as the Silva Sedan?

In the thrilling world of MindsEye, I can’t help but be captivated by the diverse fleet of ground and air vehicles at my disposal. These aren’t mere tools for travel or combat; they serve as the backbone of the game’s narrative and world-building, making every adventure a truly immersive experience that’s downright enjoyable!

These creations don’t directly resemble any particular real-life objects, yet they show traces of various influences. We drew inspiration not only from traditional designs but also from contemporary ones, adding a touch of futurism that aligns with the universe we are constructing.

This method grants us a broader scope for creativity. Essentially, it makes the vehicles seem realistic, as if they’re ready to hit the streets, but not quite just yet. Furthermore, it aids in emphasizing the overarching themes of the game, highlighting the impact of technology on our environment and how we navigate within it.

A: Could you elaborate on what the companion drone does in the game, specifically its function in both combat scenarios and exploration?

The drone that accompanies Jacob serves an essential function in both conflict and exploration. Connected to his MindsEye implant, it functions as a tactical appendage of his physique, capable of flying ahead, navigating tough locations, and delivering real-time intelligence. In battle, it offers a strategic advantage: stunning adversaries, manipulating enemy robots to make them allies, and upgrading its skills as the game unfolds.

Regardless of whether you prefer a bold or cautious strategy, the drone adjusts to complement your strategies. This diversity enhances each mission, giving gameplay a richer, more complex feel without overpowering the player. As the narrative progresses, the drone grows increasingly crucial to Jacob’s adventure.

As a gamer, I can share that the game MindsEye is all about exploring the impact of technology on our human world and the potential risks it poses. Given the current debates surrounding tech threats, particularly AI, it’s safe to say that these discussions have undoubtedly influenced the storyline of MindsEye in some way. The narrative subtly weaves in these concerns about technology, reflecting the broader societal discourse and fostering thought-provoking gameplay experiences.

When creating MindsEye, we combined elements of futurism and science fiction, drawing inspiration from the profound impact technology has on our lives. Ideas that once seemed far ahead of their time have gradually become a reality, integrating themselves into our culture, thus making our narrative even more resonant as it unfolds.

Instead, let’s discuss some aspects of future technology in a lighter manner than the usual grim portrayals, as there’s room for entertainment here too. I think we’ve managed to strike a balance between a thought-provoking storyline, compelling characters, and an engaging look at what our potential future might be like.

The Arcadia System And The Future Of MindsEye

Could you elaborate on why MindsEye is integrating the Arcadia system for its launch, and discuss the development journey behind this tool that allows players to create missions and content?

In the current wave of entertainment, characterized by streaming services, fast-rising and falling games, and a culture that prioritizes on-demand content, we’re venturing into uncharted territories, offering an interface designed to revolutionize how we engage with all types of entertainment, not just games. The audience is moving towards more immersive 3D experiences rather than traditional 2D browsing. Essentially, we’re transitioning from a passive viewing experience to one that encourages active involvement.

Initially, Arcadia was intended as our platform for developing new products. However, as we progressed in creating MindsEye and expanding the BARB ecosystem, it organically transformed into a more specialized service, providing both Play.MindsEye and Build.MindsEye. Play offers immersive, action-packed gameplay with dynamically changing missions and maps. Build empowers users with user-friendly tools to create their own content, requiring only creativity and purpose, not technical expertise.

In order for us to achieve our ultimate goal, we needed to trial-run our creation platform live among a group of builders, even while we were operating secretly and creating MindsEye. We began with the community known as Everywhere.

A: Since MindsEye is your primary game launch after a 12-year gap, I presume you’ve been developing it for some time. Could you share some insights into the journey of creating this game over these years?

B: The journey has been lengthy yet rewarding. Despite accumulating numerous years of expertise, learning continues to be an ongoing process, particularly when constructing something as massive as this from scratch. Our team is exceptional in every aspect of game creation – artistry, coding, scriptwriting, design – and the key to our success lies in trust. By granting individuals the freedom to excel in their specific domains and nurturing ideas organically, we’ve managed to produce outstanding results. That’s where creativity truly thrives.

A: Given that several of your previous projects have significantly influenced culture, what sort of impact are you aiming for MindsEye to have within the industry?

I don’t tend to consider the broad impact, as that is usually only apparent in retrospect. For us, the objective with MindsEye was to create something unique yet comfortable, offering a fun gaming experience. If it encourages people to explore new possibilities or facilitates different narratives and experiences, then we consider that a success.

fundamentally, our aim is to provide players with engaging experiences that resonate with them, and we hope these moments will be etched in their memories. Moreover, we’re deeply invested in empowering players by enabling game creation, and we eagerly anticipate seeing some extraordinary creations birthed from the community.

A: How can followers of your previous projects anticipate what MindsEye and Build A Rocket Boy Games will offer in general?

In our independent studio, we enjoy the liberty to pioneer groundbreaking methods while maintaining a balance between novelty and familiarity. Striking the right balance prevents our projects from appearing too foreign to our fans or becoming repetitive and uninteresting. Our focus is on creating an engaging and dynamic game world that captivates players. The era of streaming, social media, and on-demand entertainment has shortened attention spans, and the competition for audience interest in intellectual properties is fierce and ruthless.

As a devoted follower at Build A Rocket Boy, I can tell you that our ambitions stretch far beyond just one storyline. “MindsEye” kicks things off as our initial and pivotal tale, but it’s merely the beginning of a vast, interconnected web of episodes yet to come. We’ve got some groundbreaking ideas brewing for the franchise’s expansion, plans that will delve into alternate realities while keeping the essence of our themes: hope, redemption, and the allure of civilizations both past and future. These concepts are rooted in the rich lore and multiverse principles we’ve established.

In the new game, MindsEye, we’ve blended three immersive experiences: the engaging narrative of MindsEye, the interactive Play.MindsEye, and the creative Build.MindsEye. The MindsEye experience is centered around consequence and connection, offering a cinematic, responsive world that you not only play within, but can also shape and mold.

[END]

Read More

2025-05-28 16:35