MindsEye Actor Says Reception to the Game Was “Hard”, Thought He Wouldn’t Work on Games Again

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The rocky start for the action game *MindsEye* seems to have impacted not only the development studio, Build a Rocket Boy, but also its lead actor, Alex Hernandez. Hernandez, who plays the main character Jacob Diaz, recently shared with FRVR how difficult it was to see the negative reactions from both players and critics, and how this might influence his future career choices. He described the experience as “hard.”

Hernandez admitted it was tough to dedicate two and a half years to a project he felt strongly about, especially considering how proud he was of his work. He described his time on the project as entirely positive, emphasizing his admiration for his colleagues and his strong desire to see them succeed, just as much as he wanted the project to succeed himself.

This isn’t the first time actor Rick Hernandez has been the lead in a game that didn’t initially receive great reviews. He also played Lincoln Clay in *Mafia 3*. While *Mafia 3* was released in 2016 to praise for its story, characters, and dialogue, many critics felt the game had too much filler content in its open world.

Hernandez discussed how deeply connected people become to the games they love. He explained that this strong attachment, combined with the anonymity of the internet, can sometimes lead to harsh and negative reactions. He pointed out that people might say things online they would never say in person.

Gamers have a special connection to the games they play, and as one myself, I understand how deeply they can feel about an experience or product. The internet allows people to express opinions they’d never voice in person – even harsh criticisms. Someone might absolutely hate a game but wouldn’t directly tell the developers it’s terrible or that they deserve abuse. It’s a strange dynamic, but I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if it’s expressed anonymously and aggressively.

Despite the initial excitement of launching *MindsEye*, Hernandez began to worry about his future in the gaming industry. He feared players might blame him personally for the game’s problems simply because his face was on the cover.

Hernandez described his initial reaction as fearing he might not work on another game. He explained that being the public face of a game means people will connect their feelings – whether positive or negative – with him personally. He admitted to feeling down for a couple of days, but with his wife’s support, he realized he needed to move forward. Staying stuck in negativity wouldn’t allow him to grow and learn from the experience.

Despite the recent challenges, Hernandez is thrilled to see his face featured on the cover of a new video game – a lifelong dream come true. He remains proud of his work and continues to enjoy his career in the gaming industry.

Being a recognizable face in the gaming industry has its downsides, even though I’m grateful for the opportunity. I actually have two game boxes with my face on them! It’s a dream come true – I was a kid who loved playing video games and always hoped I could work on them, and I’ve now done that twice. I feel lucky to have a job I enjoy, surrounded by incredibly talented people, and even when projects face challenges, the work itself is still amazing.

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2025-09-16 18:11