MindsEye Xbox Playstation PC Gaming

[Tom]

Play as 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. Fight to uncover the truth in a world where AI, high-tech experimentation, and unchecked military power shape every encounter. Jacob isn't the only one searching for answers, forces working from the shadows may be more powerful and dangerous than he ever imagined. 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.

 

[David76]

The disastrous launch of MindsEye has prompted Sony to approve MindsEye PS5 refunds due to its numerous performance issues and negative reviews. While Build A Rocket Boy has promised fixes, the current state of the game is simply unacceptable. This situation serves as a reminder of the necessity for thorough testing and optimisation before a game's release. As players await the promised patch, it remains uncertain if those seeking refunds will reconsider their purchase after improvements are made.

I don't think they allow refunds if you've played the game. Unless it gets so bad that they delist the game from the game store,or they make an exception for this game, but I don't think that will happen.

 

[David76]

Despite its rocky launch, this game has some noteworthy strengths that could make it worth your time, especially if the developers manage to smooth out the glitches and expand the universe as they've hinted.

Core Features of MindsEye

• Genre: Action-Adventure, often compared to GTA
• Engine: Unreal Engine 5
• Gameplay: Focuses on narrative-driven missions and character development
• Voice Acting: Features a star-studded cast of industry veterans

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Outstanding Voice Acting: The performances by the cast bring depth and immersion.
• Potential for Growth: If the technical issues are resolved, the game could evolve into a solid title.
• Interesting Storyline: The main character, Jacob Diaz, has a compelling backstory that adds intrigue.

Cons:

• Technical Issues: Many players have reported bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay.
• Controversial Launch: The overall reception at launch has been mixed, primarily due to these issues.

Ultimately, the voice cast is a highlight of MindsEye. The game features talents like Alex Hernandez, who voices Jacob Diaz, an ex-special ops soldier with a neural implant. The character development and the interactions with various NPCs are enriched by the performances of other veterans in the industry, such as:

• Tanya Alexander (Tomb Raider)
• Anjali Bhimani (Dune: Awakening)
• Erika Ishii (Mortal Kombat 1)

Each character's portrayal adds another layer to the narrative, making the experience worthwhile, even with the game's current shortcomings.

If you're curious about MindsEye, I recommend you give it a shot when the issues are ironed out. Comeback stories are common in gaming, think No Man's Sky and Cyberpunk 2077, and this title might just be on the verge of becoming one of them!

 

[Scottish Batman]

In the recent Digital Foundry review of MindsEye, the game's launch has been described as a catastrophic event, raising concerns among players. The discussion is rooted in both performance and visual fidelity, particularly on platforms such as PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X|S. The review delves into how the game performs technically, addressing issues that have led to discontent among the gaming community.

While some may argue that every new title can face challenges at launch, the degree of criticism directed at MindsEye suggests deeper issues. The review highlights the necessity for developers to ensure that a game is not only playable but also meets certain standards of quality upon release. This scrutiny is particularly relevant in today's gaming landscape, where high expectations are commonplace.

Moreover, the review emphasises the importance of communication from developers regarding performance issues. Transparency can aid in alleviating some frustrations from players, who often feel let down when a highly anticipated title fails to deliver.

In summary, the Digital Foundry review of MindsEye serves as a reminder of the critical need for quality assurance in game development, especially in an era where gamers are more discerning than ever. This discussion is vital for understanding the future trajectory of game releases and the expectations that accompany them.

 

[Strawberry Man]

Sadly, some of the least surprising news in a while - Build A Rocket Boy reportedly begins layoffs after the MindsEye disaster launch.

At least the company is based in the UK, where they have better employment laws than the US, so hopefully that means some protections for those staff losing their jobs.

Staggering detail in the article that the studio had around 300 staff in the UK, plus 200 more abroad. What a grim waste of talent and money. Utter mismanagement.

 

[Tom]

The development team at least seem committed to improving MindsEye, as evidenced by a series of updates that have arrived in recent weeks. This latest one is called Update 3.

Looking through the patch notes, you'll find the likes of AI improvements, difficulty changes, tweaks to how smooth the combat and driving animations are, audio upgrades, and of course, loads and loads of all-important bug fixes.

The team say they've been looking through hundreds of hours of gameplay footage to try and prioritise what players want, and they're committed to providing regular updates like this going forward. Here's hoping we'll get a 60FPS performance mode eventually, as that seems like the number one request amongst console players right now.

Spoiler: Patch Notes: Update 3

Stability

• Improved stability to reduce crashes, especially on extended play sessions
• Fixed AI-related crashes that could occur during complex combat scenarios

Gameplay – Difficulty Rebalance

• Increased AI accuracy across all difficulty levels for a greater challenge and more consistent encounters
• Adjusted Medium difficulty by reducing damage filtering, resulting in slightly more challenging combat

Character Control

• Improved cover entry behaviour, making transitions into cover feel smoother
• Improved stair locomotion, ensuring the player exits stair animations at the correct time and aligns properly with the steps
• Refined weapon handling during cover entry/exit transitions

Animation

• Life scene animations have been improved, with smoother transitions
• Vehicles
• Improved vehicle behaviour on slopes, making stops feel more stable and predictable

AI

• Fixed various bugs causing erratic AI behaviour
• Environment
• Improved martial law scenes with better behaviour and staging

Audio

• Improved in-game vehicle audio for a more immersive soundscape
• Improved vehicle destruction audio, with a focus on window break sounds
• General audio data clean up and optimisation
• Tweaked pedestrian dialogue for more natural reactions

Cinematics

• Addressed LOD issues in multiple scenes
• Optimisations to certain cinematics

Localisation

• Corrected various localisation errors across multiple languages

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue where graphics settings would reset after restarting the game. Settings now persist correctly
• Fixed a known issue where players could get stuck walking in a loop when interacting with specific objects
• Fixed characters stretching in certain cinematics and gameplay sequences
• Corrected texture issue with the Deluxe Edition vest
• Resolved flickering VFX in select areas
• Various bug fixes across menus and HUD elements
• Fixed visual bugs in multiple environments
• Resolved abrupt weather changes during the final mission
• Enhanced ambient pedestrian movement and facial reactions
• Addressed several mission flow bugs that could block progression or disrupt scripted events
• Fixed an issue where AI would exit vehicles and immediately die under certain conditions
• Fixed an issue that caused AI to shoot while facing the wrong direction
• Adjusted cover logic to prevent AI from clustering too closely
• Fixed instances where AI would turn their backs on the player during combat
• Fixed an issue where AI hit reactions wouldn't trigger when shot
• Fixed an issue where enemies sticking out of vehicle roof windows weren't affected by headshots
• Resolved an issue where Jacob could turn invisible when exiting a vehicle with the driver's side blocked
• Fixed floating occupants when driving Skycar in first-person view
• Fixed an issue where shooting the tires of an enemy jeep could launch it unexpectedly toward Jacob
• Resolved a traversal issue where the player could get stuck behind unclimbable debris bags
• Fixed various issues affecting main campaign open-world encounters
• Updated third-person animations for Play.MindsEye content
• Fixed an issue where the drone UI marker would not correctly update when transitioning in or out of Play.MindsEye content during the campaign
• Fixed multiple issues with certain in-game screen objects appearing blank during cinematic sequences
• Prevented players from exiting the Hades vehicle mid-flight, avoiding unintended behaviour
• Fixed an issue where dying outside the hangar could cause the player to respawn at an earlier checkpoint, resulting in lost progress in the "Clash of the Egos" mission
• Fixed an issue where Jacob could become stuck inside the jeep if shot during the dismount animation in the "In Pursuit of the Orb" mission
• Adjusted fail conditions to be more forgiving and better reflect player behaviour in the "This Means War" mission
• Adjusted fail conditions during the CCTV section in the "Industrial Espionage" mission to prevent failure when the player's camera is aimed at Conti
• Fixed an issue where failing to get to Silva's home in time would cause the player to respawn at an incorrect checkpoint in the "Meeting Marco Silva" mission
• Adjusted Claudia's vehicle AI to reduce corner-cutting behaviour, resulting in a smoother driving path in "The Mole" mission
• Tweaked the Digging minigame in "The Wrong Move" mission to provide earlier UI prompts and improve timing before input is required

PlayStation 5 – only

• Updated cutscene lighting to eliminate unnatural shadow artefacts

Xbox Series X|S – only

• Fixed missing controller vibration during certain drone flight sequences

Anyone other than Gemma been daft enough to buy this or play it yet?

 

[Gemma]

I might actually install this over the weekend

 

[David76]

MindsEye developer Build A Rocket Boy has released Update 4 across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, insisting it remains "committed to refining" the game following its disastrous launch.

Initially conceived as part of the ambitious Everywhere platform, MindsEye has faced significant challenges since its release. The game's performance issues, glitches, and AI behaviour bugs led to a wave of negative feedback and ultimately prompted BARB to cancel sponsored streams. In light of these circumstances, the studio's decision to issue a substantial update is a crucial step in regaining player trust.

Update 4 introduces a significant number of improvements, including enhancements in user experience, performance, and fixes for numerous bugs. The update's size—15GB for PC and 7.2GB for PS5—reflects the depth of the changes being made. Notably, improvements range from environmental adjustments to visual effects, NPC behaviour, and even mission dialogue pacing.

The key takeaway from the update is the proactive approach taken by BARB to address the shortcomings of MindsEye. As they prepare for a potential Update 5, which promises major improvements to performance and AI systems, the gaming community will be watching closely. Can BARB turn the tide and encourage players to not only return but also invest in the game? Only time will tell.

Key Points:

• Update 4 addresses significant issues post-launch of MindsEye.
• The update includes performance improvements, bug fixes, and enhanced user experience.
• BARB emphasises their commitment to refining the game moving forward.
• Future updates are planned to further enhance gameplay and AI systems.

Spoiler: Update 4 Patch Notes

MindsEye Update 4 Patch notes:​

IMPROVEMENTS

Environment

• Trailer Tanks in Free Roam now explode when shot at
• Several improvements have been made to architecture and assets to help with performance
• Improved weather change when player leaves the Factory at the start of Robin Hood Mission
• Improved traversal on A New Job and Loose Ends missions where player may get stuck in certain assets

Visual Effects

• Cutscene VFX performance improvements
• Cutscene VFX management changes and Niagara system updates to reduce CPU spikes and overall frame rate
• Disabled ambient rubbish to improve performance

NPC

• Small performance improvement on Robots
• NPCs that are aiming and in-cover now look more natural

Art

• General performance improvements: shaders, assets, collisions

UI

• Resolved inconsistent dropdown menu behaviour in graphics settings, ensuring reliable input response
• Added the ability to skip cinematics

Audio

• Audio Optimisation regarding Mass Vehicles
• Music adjustments throughout MindsEye missions
• Added Destruction SFX on Glass Bottle Props

Missions

• Conditional dialogue now triggers with more natural pacing
• The companion drone torch is now automatically enabled when entering or starting in dark areas

Animation

• Optimised the ambient and civilian animations
• Exit/entry animations no longer play for driverless vehicles

Gameplay

• Aim assist will focus on enemies in vehicle turrets over the driver

BUG FIXES

• Various Mission flow bug fixes
• Fixed pixelated reflection in Rocket Transporter window
• Fixed Industrial vent asset to help with performance
• Resolved an issue where players transitioning from Meeting Marco Silva to Executive Paranoia could drive through objects and fall through the map
• Fixed ambient animation glitches in Welcome to Redrock City
• Fixed an issue where camera rotation was lost after cutscenes
• Several lighting LOD pop issues fixed in cutscenes
• Fixed a bug where burning vehicles wouldn't transition to destroyed state
• Fixed several traversal issues in world where the player may get stuck
• Fixed an issue in The Ziggurat where a hole in wall allowed players to climb through and trap themselves
• Fixed an issue in Oh Lily! where players could get stuck in Morrison's Silo without a way to get back out
• Fixed collision on glass roof of Silva Factory
• Fixed a number of Character Model issues in cutscenes that made them look deformed and stretched for a few frames
• Resolved Silva's teeth looking too bright on medium/ lower settings on PC
• NPCs no longer freeze when interacting with certain objects
• Weapon Wheel hover SFX is now triggered correctly, without delays

PC only

• The character Red Sand Male 25 is now available for use in Build.MindsEye
• Fixed a UI issue where backing out of a submenu in 'Build' caused the second-last selected tile to remain highlighted
• Fixed a bug where the 'effects' tile would remain highlighted after returning to Build mode from Play mode
• Fixed an issue where the placement header text overlapped UI elements in the asset settings menu when playing in French
• Fixed a bug causing specific Korean characters to appear invisible in vehicle spawner labels
• Fixed a localisation issue where the French translation of "Total PI" overlapped with the performance impact number in the top toolbar
• Replaced the incorrect icon used for the MindsEye menu button in Play/ Build with a proper menu icon
• [Min Spec Performance Improvement]: Disabled Nanite compute materials as it has a negative effect on GPU rendering time in our game, especially on older Nvidia Graphics Cards.
• [Min Spec Performance Improvement]: Fixed an issue where our Nanite render pipeline always used the Hardware Rasterizer path rather than correctly splitting between Hardware Rasterizer and Software Rasterizer

Console only - PlayStation and Xbox

• Fixed a UI focus issue where the graphics settings tab failed to auto-focus on the first option when accessed on PS5 and Xbox

Spoiler: Build.Mindseye Patch Notes - PC Only

BUILD.MINDSEYE PATCH NOTES – PC ONLY​

IMPROVEMENTS

Publishing UGC Content

• Added a toggle to enable or disable Logic Nodes from being captured in the thumbnail capture of UGC Content

Logic Nodes

• Timer Nodes improved; you can update or refresh their value at any time through multiple other logic nodes, and can now be refreshed infinitely
• Timer Logic Nodes now support decimal places up to .000
• Custom UI Nodes updated to always be set to "Node Active" = True, by default

Attributes Menu, Catalogue & Versioning

• Minor QoL & screen position improvements to the Creator HUD, Attributes Menu & Tools
• Minor QoL improvements to naming, duplicated items, missing thumbnails or icons in the Assets Catalogue
• Updated the search functionality in Assets Catalogue to take into account both object name and the tags
• Added a warning when the player reaches the maximum number of allowed versions when creating new versions
• Added missing hotkeys to the Controls Panel for Inserting Path Points

Featured Stamps Updates

• Multiple fixes and QoL improvements to existing set of Featured Stamps
• Added more Stamps to the Featured Stamps tile

BUG FIXES

• Removed EVERYWHERE vehicles from Build.MindsEye – those vehicles were made accessible unofficially, and we will bring them to MindsEye when they are ready
• Fixed an issue where the AI Spawner Spawn limits and Performance Scores of spawners were not correctly calculated
• New Performance Score applied to AI Spawners as follows:

1. AI Spawner – Performance Score: 10 / Max Quantity Allowed: 10
2. Individual AI NPC - Performance Score: 6 / Max Quantity Allowed: 100

• Fixed an incorrect controls description for Build Collision Control List Keys; now correctly displayed as (B) instead of (P)
• Improved camera behaviour in Build.MindsEye: your last position is now saved more frequently for a more reliable creation experience
• Fixed an issue with erratic camera behaviour when using the Group Macro Node
• Fixed an issue where players were unable to like Stamps with long names
• Fixed an issue that prevented players from editing Stamp Descriptions that exceed the 220 character limit
• Fixed an issue that caused vehicles to move very slowly, or not at all, when using Custom Speed on the Drive To Node
• Grid snapping is now enabled on the XY Plane by default
• Fixed an issue with Destructible Assets not being selectable
• Fixed issues with Filtering in the Assets Catalogue
• Fixed various issues with the Vehicle Selection UI Node
• Fixed multiple issues with the Transform Variable Node and Advanced Transform Node parsing incorrect values into the Location and Scale Overrides
• Stamp Attributes now display the correct Thumbnail based on the current Version selected
• Fixed various issues with spawn-points and spawning in Build.MindsEye
• Fixed various issues with the Physics Force Node causing objects to disappear
• Fixed an issue where Foliage Assets were not searchable in the Catalogue
• Fixed a crash caused when attempting to ungroup a group within a group
• Fixed a crash caused by undoing creation and deletion of large Stamps
• Fixed an issue with some deprecated assets being displayed in the library – which were discernible by having "DONOTUSE" in their name
• Fixed texture issues on a number of assets in the Build.MindsEye Catalogue
• Fixed an issue with missing Localisations for the Light Effects in Build.MindsEye

 

[David76]

The recent update for MindsEye has stirred quite a conversation among its players, particularly due to the unexpected removal of the Free Roam feature. Instead, the developers at Build A Rocket Boy have reintroduced ARCADIA, which takes the place of the previous Play.MindsEye platform. This shift has left many players perplexed.

ARCADIA is promoted as an "ever-expanding world of missions, races, puzzles, and challenges." While the core campaign and side missions remain accessible offline, ARCADIA now functions as a streaming service, necessitating a constant internet connection. Players can expect leaderboards, even though the community seems sparse at this point.

One significant point of concern is the missing Free Roam mode and its protagonist, affectionately dubbed "Can't Drink Dust Guy." The community is left wondering if and when these elements will return.

Despite these changes, MindsEye appears committed to its post-launch roadmap, which includes new missions and multiplayer experiences. The upcoming major adventure in the Starstream universe, slated for Winter, raises questions about the future of the game's open-world multiplayer component.

For those interested, check out the trailer for ARCADIA below to gain a better understanding of this new mode.

• ARCADIA replaces Play.MindsEye.
• The Free Roam feature has been mysteriously removed.
• ARCADIA operates as a streaming service requiring a constant internet.
• Community concerns about the player base and missing content.
• The game is still following its post-launch roadmap with more content expected.

 

[David76]

Build A Rocket Boy has rolled out Title Update 6 for MindsEye, introducing over 150 enhancements that significantly improve gameplay. This update is focused on visual fidelity, combat mechanics, and performance optimisations, aiming to create a smoother gaming experience.

Key Highlights of Patch 6:

Visual and Performance Improvements:

• Enhanced level-of-detail and texture quality in cutscenes.
• Improved character body physics and vehicle visual effects.
• Optimised environmental elements for better interaction and smoother navigation.

Combat Enhancements:

• Improved enemy NPC aiming and reaction times during firefights.
• Tweaked bullet collision with environmental objects, making it easier to shoot enemies in cover.
• Adjusted ragdoll physics for more realistic enemy responses.
• New abilities for companion drones with individual cooldowns.

Driving Mechanics Revamped:

• Removal of route blockers for a more fluid driving experience.
• Introduction of checkpoints in missions to reduce frustration from failures.
• Players can now skip lengthy driving segments in select missions.

AI and NPC Behaviour Enhancements:

• Smarter enemies that react faster to threats and make tactical decisions during combat.
• Improved animations for AI, making movements more fluid and realistic.

Miscellaneous Updates:

• Introduction of a demo version available for download, allowing players to experience a mission and access the new ARCADIA platform for various challenges.
• Numerous bug fixes across combat, missions, and audio, enhancing overall gameplay quality.

Overall, this update marks a significant improvement from the initial launch, reflecting the developers' commitment to enhancing player experience. The reception has been mostly positive, indicating that players are noticing these improvements.

It might be about time to install this Gemma?

 

[David76]

In a candid admission, Mark Gerhard, CEO of Build A Rocket Boy, has labeled the launch of their game as "without doubt, the worst launch in history." This statement comes amidst claims of deliberate sabotage designed to undermine the game's reception. Gerhard asserts that negative narratives were orchestrated to prevent MindsEye from receiving a fair chance, suggesting that some individuals were financially incentivized to spread dissent prior to its release.

MindsEye, which began as a component of the ambitious project Everywhere, transitioned to a standalone title that launched last year to a barrage of criticism, largely due to significant glitches and gameplay issues. Gerhard has since indicated that the studio has gathered "very strong evidence" of this interference, which they intend to share in an upcoming multiplayer update.

Despite the rocky start, Gerhard expresses optimism about the game's future, noting that it is now "being very well-reviewed" and that sales are reportedly improving week by week. However, he also acknowledges that the game's initial problems were not solely the result of external sabotage, admitting that Build A Rocket Boy must take responsibility for the launch's shortcomings.

The studio plans to unveil new content in the near future, including a mission and a new playable character, alongside the evidence of interference that Gerhard claims to have. As the situation evolves, it raises significant questions about the balance between external pressures and internal management within the gaming industry.