Insights from Leslie Benzies: The Vision Behind MindsEye and Build A Rocket Boy

In a recent interview, Leslie Benzies, the mastermind behind the Grand Theft Auto series and Red Dead Redemption, shared his vision for MindsEye, the inaugural game from his new studio, Build A Rocket Boy. MindsEye is a single-player, third-person shooter set in a Las Vegas-inspired city called Redrock, with a techno-thriller narrative centered around Jacob Diaz, a former soldier. The game is designed as a gateway to a larger universe, with a user-generated content platform called Build.MindsEye, allowing players to create levels using in-game objects. Benzies envisions MindsEye as part of an epic universe with interconnected stories, each with unique mechanics that will be made available to players through the creator tools. The game will receive continuous support through Play.MindsEye, with new content additions, including multiplayer and open-world features. Benzies also touched on the future of Everywhere, a long-gestating project, which will be reintroduced soon as part of the same product, connected through a narrative. The decision to make MindsEye a linear, narrative-driven experience was driven by the need to tell a specific story, with open-world elements available through the Build.MindsEye platform. The game's length and scope were designed to provide a meaty experience, with a 20-hour campaign and side content that fills out the universe. The pricing strategy aims to offer value for money, considering the current economic climate. Benzies acknowledged the challenges of launching a new studio and game with his background, which can be a double-edged sword, but hopes that players will see MindsEye for what it's trying to be.