Former GTA Producer's AI-Themed Game 'MindsEye' Set for Summer Release

GTA 6 has competition and it's called MindsEye - Softonic

Created by the former producer of GTA, its intention is to address all the issues of the franchise so far Leslie Benzies, former producer of the famous Grand Theft Auto saga and current founder of Build A Rocket Boy, has presented the first gameplay trailer for his upcoming game, MindsEye, which will be released this summer. Set in a futuristic world, MindsEye explores a narrative where artificial intelligence and human greed threaten to bring Earth to the brink of collapse. The protagonist, Jacob Díaz, has a neural implant that causes him disjointed flashbacks of his past and plunges him into a quest to uncover the truth behind his story. The trailer, which was revealed during the PlayStation State of Play event, highlights third-person action, combining elements of shooting, vehicles, and drones. However, what has caught the most attention from viewers are the impressive scenes of car destruction, which seem to be a hallmark of the gaming experience. Some critics suggest that Benzies, after his time in GTA, might be channeling his frustrations towards vehicles in his new project. Despite the visual and mechanical similarities to titles like Cyberpunk and Watch_Dogs, MindsEye promises to offer a unique experience. In a press release, it is mentioned that the game will be developed within the universe of Everywhere, a previous project that aimed to be a multiverse gaming experience, although its current status remains a mystery. Could it be that the release of MindsEye occurs before Everywhere is ready for the public? This aspect has sparked curiosity and speculation among fans. In a broader context, this revelation also highlights a shift in the video game industry, which has changed its focus from the 'metaverse' to artificial intelligence as the new trend in technological development. This change reflects the ever-changing dynamics of the sector and the search for innovations that captivate players.

Former GTA producer's GTA-like shooter will come out before GTA 6

Third-person action shooter MindsEye, from former Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies, is due out this summer. Leslie Benzies, former GTA producer and Rockstar North president, and founder of developer Build A Rocket Boy, unveiled the first gameplay trailer for his upcoming game, MindsEye, coming this summer. The third-person action game is set in a futuristic world "where AI and human greed collide to bring earth to the precipice of collapse," which sure is a far-fetched sci-fi concept, right? Right? You can check out the trailer, revealed today at PlayStation State of Play, above. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but is Benzies working out a few things with his new game? Did his years of working on Grand Theft Auto games make him hate automobiles? He sure blows up a lot of them in the gameplay trailer, too many to be a coincidence. Shoot a million bullets at a bunch of cars and some of 'em are gonna blow up, sure, and some of 'em do, and then more of 'em do, and at one point I swear the main character pretty much stops what he's doing just to specifically blow up one car in particular. I'll say this: the car-blowing-up effects are the best part of the trailer. The rest looks like "We've got GTA at home" mixed with "We've got Cyberpunk at home" and "We've got Watch_Dogs at home." Not that it doesn't look fun. Cars, guns, drones, third-person shooting and cover, more drones, more cars, and a desperate guy with a cyber implant in his head. His name isn't V, though. It's Jacob. "MindsEye follows Jacob Diaz, equipped with a mysterious neural implant, the MindsEye, that has left him with disjointed flashbacks of his time in the service," says a press release sent to PC Gamer. "As Jacob fights to uncover the truth, he is drawn into a world where AI, high-tech experimentation, and unchecked military power impact every step of his journey." That journey apparently includes putting automobile insurance companies out of business by exploding everything on four wheels. Not shown in the trailer or mentioned by Benzies himself during State of Play is Everywhere, which in 2022 was described as a "multi-world game experience that blurs the line between reality and the digital world." We were told MindsEye would take place inside Everywhere, and for context, this was back when everyone was making promises about the "metaverse," that next big thing everyone quickly stopped talking about because it was nonsense (now they just talk about AI, the next next big thing, which will continue until the next next next big thing). In the press release sent to PC Gamer, it only says "MindsEye® is an EVERYWHERE® world," but that's it. Does that mean Everywhere, whatever it is (maybe something more like Roblox for adults), won't be ready when Mindseye launches in summer 2025? I will ask Build a Rocket Boy for clarification about Everywhere and update this story if I learn more.

Former GTA 5 lead properly shows off his new city-sized action game coming this summer, and yep, it looks like Cyberpunk 2077 meets GTA

MindsEye, the latest from Rockstar North's Leslie Benzies, is due this year Build A Rocket Boy's futuristic action game MindsEye is coming to PlayStation, Xbox, and PC this summer, and director Leslie Benzies of GTA 5 fame shared and discussed a beefier trailer for the game at the February PlayStation State of Play showcase. MindsEye stars Jacob Diaz, "a former soldier fitted with The MindsEye, a mysterious neural implant that haunts him with fragmented memories of a covert mission that changed his life forever." Benzies describes the game as a "new action adventure set in the fictional city of Redrock, where AI and human greed collide to bring earth to the precipice of collapse." Phew, thank goodness we don't have to deal with worrying AI and escalating human greed here in the present. "We're now proud to share some gameplay footage of the explosive combat and high-octane driving that you can expect on PlayStation 5 later this year," Benzies concluded. Not unexpectedly, that combat and driving combo has some distinct GTA vibes, right down to neighborhood shootouts. However, studio community and creator VP Dan Bulteel says MindsEye has "strategic" combat, seemingly leaning into the gadgets and gizmos. The near-future dystopian look and tech gives this a whiff of Cyberpunk 2077, too, just as a modern sci-fi touchstone. "Get ready for intense combat - on foot, behind the wheel, and in the air - where every decision can mean the difference between survival and defeat," the trailer blurb adds. It's a wonder that this and GTA 6 both ended up in the same year, roughly 10,000 years after the release of GTA 5. Build A Rocket Boy is separately developing "the next-generation immersive gaming and entertainment open world platform Everywhere" and "a suite of remarkably easy-to-use AAA [user-generated content] design and publishing tools Arcadia." Build A Rocket Boy has been surprisingly shy on open-world comparisons, instead pitching the action and narrative side of MindsEye. That said, the city-sized game world looks plenty big in the driving snippets shown today. "With MindsEye, we've pushed cinematic adventure to the next level - building characters and a world that feels truly alive," Benzies said in a press release. "We can't wait for players to step in and feel the immersive realism and tireless effort poured into every moment of the game." "This world isn't just a backdrop. It's filled with stories, perspectives, and hidden truths waiting to be uncovered," Bulteel adds in a blog post. "As you progress, you'll learn how to adapt and use these new technologies in your missions."

GTA Creator's 'MindsEye' Game Slated to Launch This Summer

After several months of quiet, developer Build a Rocket Boy shared a new gameplay trailer for MindsEye, their story-driven action/adventure thriller game, during yesterday's State of Play broadcast. They also revealed that the game will be released this Summer on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X, published by IO Interactive. Leslie Benzies, Game Director of MindsEye and former producer on GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, GTA IV, and GTA V, said in a statement: I've dedicated my entire career to crafting captivating interactive entertainment to delight players. With MindsEye, we've pushed cinematic adventure to the next level - building characters and a world that feels truly alive. We can't wait for players to step in and feel the immersive realism and tireless effort poured into every moment of the game. MindsEye is developed with the same technology that powers Everywhere, the studio's ambitious user generated content (UGC) platform. In this game, players will become Jacob Diaz, who has received a mysterious neural implant (the titular MindsEye) which has left him with disjointed flashbacks of his time in the service. Set in Redrock, a fictional desert metropolis in the not-too-distant future, MindsEye tells a story of artificial intelligence, human greed, and the struggle for control that has brought the Earth to the brink of collapse. Players will explore a richly detailed world, uncovering hidden conspiracies while navigating a deeply personal and high-stakes narrative. MindsEye delivers intense combat where every decision is critical to survival. Players will engage in third-person shooter encounters, facing enemies that coordinate attacks, flush them from cover, and swarm with overwhelming force. Success depends on quick thinking, tactical positioning, and using the environment and a companion drone to gain the upper hand. There are also 'thrilling' high-speed chases that will push the player's driving skills to the limit, taking Jacob through a variety of environments, such as bustling cityscapes, remote industrial sites, trailer parks, and deserts. You can now wishlist the game on Steam.

MindsEye shows story and gameplay with IO Interactive

It's common knowledge throughout the gaming world that every Rockstar release means the departure of many of its staff. From the lowest ranks to the highest. With the release of Grand Theft Auto V, many chose to go their own way and start their own studios, such as Leslie Benzies, a producer at Rockstar for 12 years, with great titles behind him. Now, with his studio Build a Rocket Boy and with IOI Partners as publisher, they have announced a release window this 12 February at the State of Play for their new project, MindsEye, which will arrive in summer 2025. MindsEye promises to be a single-player action-adventure title, with storytelling at its core. It is a thriller set in Redrock, a desert metropolis in the dystopian but not too distant future. We will follow the story of Jacob Diaz, an ex-soldier with a neural implant known as MindsEye, which gives him flashbacks to his past, when he was serving. Jacob will fight to uncover the truth in a world of artificial intelligence, technological experimentation and unchecked military power, combined with a reflection on AI, greed and power as they bring the Earth to the brink of collapse. On the technical and graphical side, Benzies promises cinematic adventures of a high standard, with characters and a world that feel truly alive. "I have dedicated my entire career to creating captivating interactive experiences for players to enjoy," added the director. "We can't wait for players to immerse themselves in the experience we've created for them, thanks to the tireless effort we've put into every moment of this title." Behind the new title are two labels that are not well known to the mainstream public. The first of them and in charge of its development is Build a Rocket Boy, founded in 2016 by Leslie Benzies himself and located in Edinburgh, with studios in Budapest and Montpellier. It is still in its infancy as an independent studio and creator of entertainment. MindsEye will be distributed by IOI Partners, a division of IO Interactive, which is dedicated to publishing and supporting third party titles and has many years of experience in the industry. MindsEye will be their first release, so we'll have to wait for its release to assess their work, but you can watch the trailer below.