When we've told you about MindsEye in the past, we've always called it a GTA-like title based on the gameplay shown and because the founder of the Build a Rocket Boy studio, Leslie Benzies, gave birth to several GTAs as president of Rockstar. Now it is Benzies himself who rectifies this preconception, explaining that the title is actually a linear experience from about 20 hours of play.

In an interview with GamesIndustry, Benzies justified this choice by explaining how a specific story like that of the protagonist Jacob Diaz is more effectively told in a linear context. "I think certain stories are more difficult to present to players in an open world environment," said Benzies. "An open world gives you freedom – you don't necessarily want the freedom to tell a story. For MindsEye, it's a very defined period in the life of a character, Jacob Diaz. We're going to take control of Jacob when he arrives in Redrock, and then we're going to let him at some point in the future." He then added: "It would therefore be very difficult for us to have an open world in there. It depends on what you're doing. But for Jacob's story, it had to be a linear game."

Regarding overall longevity, Benzies explained that 20 hours is in his opinion an adequate duration: "I think it's a good duration for a game. Through the data we found that, with big games, people don't always complete them. Most people — 60 percent or 70 percent — don't actually finish games." He went on to say, "So when we create something, I'd rather you have the whole experience from start to finish, and not make this 200-hour game. To create something that is completeable, but have some secondary things that will fill the universe." Benzies mentioned that many of the side quests featured in MindsEye will serve to delve deeper into the background of the characters or the happenings of the game world.

Although the main campaign is therefore configured as a more contained and linear experience, Benzies has confirmed that there are plans to expand MindsEye in the future with the addition of multiplayer and even a full open world environment, further moving the game away from the label of a simple "GTA clone". This future content will come in the form of both free and paid add-ons, with a 10-year post-launch support plan.

We remind you that MindsEye is scheduled for June 10 and we will be able to see more of it at the IOI Showcase, Saturday morning.