MindsEye Game Length Revealed By Director, Claiming “No-Filler” Content

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Summary

  • MindsEye campaign is only 20 hours, with additional side content for completionists.
  • Benzies prefers shorter, meatier games over 200-hour ones due to player habits.
  • Despite $80 price trend, Benzies supports lower-priced games for more value.

Unlike many open-world games which typically take numerous hours to finish, MindsEye – developed by ex-Grand Theft Auto creator Leslie Benzies – is expected to be an exception to this norm.

In today’s world, where numerous forms of entertainment exist beyond video games, Benzie explains that they aim to keep the game’s campaign completion at a modest level due to the variety of leisure activities available to people.

MindsEye Developer Doesn’t Want A “200-Hour” Game

During an interview with GamesIndustry, Benzies was inquired about the $60 price tag of MindsEye, a cost reminiscent of video games a decade past, as well as the factors that influenced the game’s duration and scale.

The MindsEye campaign is expected to last around 20 hours, but there’s a lot more content available for those who want more. As Benzies explains, “There’s always something new to explore: it’s like a never-ending stream of content.” In today’s entertainment landscape, where people have numerous options from games to streaming TV shows, filler content isn’t satisfying anymore. Instead, fans are looking for the main course and side dishes. Benzies emphasizes that they’ve tried to create as much substantial content as possible to meet these expectations.

Benzies continues his explanation, stating that based on available data, a significant number of individuals tend to avoid completing “large-scale” games. “I believe this length is suitable for a game. Interestingly, through data analysis, it’s discovered that most people – approximately 60% or 70% – don’t actually finish playing these big games,” the studio head points out.

Furthermore, Benzies emphasizes, “It’s better – I believe the team would concur – to design a game where you can complete it from beginning to end, rather than creating a 200-hour long game. Instead, create something that is completable, but offer additional tasks that expand the universe. Many of the side missions in MindsEye contribute to fleshing out the characters’ histories or explaining the events happening in the world.

Regarding the $60 price point, Benzies notes that even with concerns over the cost of eggs, people still seem to value the idea of getting good value for their money during tough times.

I have no issue with affordable video games. In fact, as we move towards higher-priced games at $80, I welcome any products that decide to offer a lower price.

Benzies makes a valid observation: nowadays, many games contain too much unnecessary content. I personally prefer shorter games that value my time over lengthy ones requiring me to complete missions solely to extend the gameplay. Fortunately, more developers are moving away from this outdated design concept, recognizing that game length doesn’t automatically equate to monetary worth.

Benzies’ studio, known as Build a Rocket Boy, has been causing quite a stir lately. Co-CEO Mark Gerhard openly alleged that rival studios have been paying to tarnish the game and their company’s reputation. This came after recent previews suggested MindsEye might not receive favorable reviews.

Will the fresh IP and creative studio manage to replicate the enchantment of Grand Theft Auto? That question should be answered shortly as the game, MindsEye, is set to launch on June 10, available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and personal computers.

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2025-05-31 03:38