MindsEye: Meet The Characters of Redrock City

Build a Rocket Boy’s creation, MindsEye, offers a glimpse into the not-too-distant future of fictional Redrock City. In this setting, technology has progressed significantly, from AI to robots, creating a city that becomes the battleground for power struggles between tech magnate Marco Silva and Mayor Shiva Vega who represents governmental interests. MindsEye players assume the role of protagonist Jacob Diaz, finding themselves (and their fellow city residents) unwittingly entangled in this power struggle.

To make Redrock City feel like a bustling metropolis, it requires renowned figures and personalities who contribute significantly to the character development within the universe of MindsEye. During our conversation with Build a Rocket Boy, we discussed several characters players will encounter and the unique attributes each one brings to the game. (For clarity and conciseness, this transcript has been revised.)

Step Into the Shoes of Jacob Diaz

Q: How predetermined is Jacob as a character?

A: In the story you’re referring to, Jacob appears as a character who grapples with his troubled past and struggles to remember key events. As the narrative unfolds, he gradually reassembles his fragmented memories, shedding light on these past occurrences and their implications. Initially, this lack of control over his life makes him feel powerless, but as we delve deeper into the plot, Jacob gains understanding not only about his past experiences, but also about the crucial role he must play in humanity’s future. I find this character’s journey towards self-discovery particularly resonant today, especially when contemplating our relationship with technology—often employed for personal gain—without fully considering its potential effects on us as individuals and society as a whole.

Q: Can you tell us about Jacob’s neural implant? What’s his “relationship” with it like exactly?

B: In the military, Jacob was given an implant as a recognition of his outstanding service. At first, it seemed like a wonderful present, but later became a horrifying ordeal when the gadget connected to the implant suffered an attack, leading to life-altering consequences for him.

The implant worn by Jacob enables him to command his matching drone ally, venturing to locations inaccessible for him personally. This expansion of reach allows him to explore areas otherwise unreachable and even venture into potentially hazardous situations, thereby safeguarding his physical self. This device boasts various capabilities that not only aid him during combat but also contribute an additional tactical dimension to missions.

Face the Dual Threat of Marco Silva and Shiva Vega

A: Could you provide some information on Marco Silva, Shiva Vega, their roles, and their connections to Redrock?

In “Mindseye”, the story is set in a world similar to ours, allowing us to connect with characters that mirror real-life personas: a tech billionaire who’s extremely intelligent and has a black-and-white approach to thinking, believing he has the solutions for global issues; alongside her, there’s a political figure who seems popular but lacks consistency in policies, primarily focusing on personal gain.

Why was it significant to portray technology and politics as being represented by separate adversaries, rather than a single one?

In the second trailer, players are introduced to Redrock City, a scorching hot metropolis from the future that’s more machine than human. It showcases the city’s all-encompassing tech influence – robots handle most tasks and an intelligent system links every surveillance device. Essentially, Redrock City serves as a test of what humans and machines could ultimately become together.

In our storyline, we encounter fascinating personalities like Marco Silva, a quirky tech maverick who established Silva Industries, with a strong desire to alter human evolution’s trajectory. Additionally, we get acquainted with Shiva Vega, the ambitious Mayor of Redrock, who aspires to transform Redrock into the most secure city globally and seeks increased authority over its residents.

The tumultuous dynamic between Silva (Big Tech) and Veg (Government) is reaching a critical point, with their ongoing power struggle over the backend systems of Redrock’s robots potentially shaping the city’s future and endangering its residents.

Seb, Burt, and Charlie

Q: Can you tell us more about Seb and the role he plays in the overall game?

In their younger days, Seb, a kind-hearted and sociable individual, lived as Jacob’s neighbor. An ardent follower of Marco Silva, Seb moved to Redrock specifically to work for Silva Corp, eventually climbing the ranks to become a facilities manager. Eager to make an impression and somewhat inexperienced, these traits that Seb possesses are exploited by Jacob, who takes advantage of Seb’s hospitality by offering him a place to stay, and more crucially, securing him a job at Silva Corp for Jacob.

A: Could you share some insights on the acting skills of Charlie and Burt, particularly their suitability for the roles they played? What factors contributed to their outstanding performances in these characters?

Taylor Carter portrays the character Charlie, infusing a charming relatability into the role that makes her endearing. Her friendship with Jacob feels genuine. She exhibits an ideal blend of self-assurance and vulnerability, ensuring we empathize with her when she seems to be in danger.

In the game, Burt is portrayed by Elias Toufexis, an accomplished actor known for his portrayal of military characters in video games such as Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist and Splinter Cell: Conviction. He skillfully brought to life a deeply flawed and highly dangerous character, all while infusing the role with a unique blend of subtlety, humor, and charm that makes Burt one of the most captivating characters in the game.