MindsEye Fights On: Massive Update 8 Unleashes Multiplayer & “Grenade Football”!

Remember MindsEye? The ambitious open-world shooter from Build a Rocket Boy (BARB) that had a bit of a rough start? Well, despite lukewarm reception, not-so-great sales, and even parting ways with its publisher IO Interactive, it seems BARB isn’t throwing in the towel just yet. In fact, they’ve just dropped a significant update, aiming to inject some new life into the game.

Dubbed “Update 8,” the developers are calling this one of the biggest patches to date, and for good reason. The headline feature? Multiplayer! MindsEye is now diving into the online arena with a brand-new team-based mode that sounds as wild as it is fun: “Grenade Football.”

Picture this: you’re on a digital pitch, not with your usual cleats, but with powerful launchers. The goal? To blast a giant ball into your opponent’s net. Think of it as a more chaotic, on-foot version of Rocket League, where players in red or blue jumpsuits are literally bringing firepower to the pitch. While the description might make you imagine players kicking launchers, it’s more about pure explosive force. It looks pretty basic right now, and the ball’s physics can be a bit tricky to follow, but it certainly offers a unique spin on online competitive play.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: who are you going to play Grenade Football with? The game’s player count has been, let’s just say, modest. Recent figures show a peak of only around 36 concurrent players in a 24-hour period. That’s enough to get a couple of matches going, but you might need to rally some friends from the PakGamersHub community if you’re looking for consistent action. If you’re curious, now might be the time to jump in and check it out before everyone else does!

But it’s not all about the new multiplayer mayhem. Update 8 also brings a host of other exciting changes. You’ll find new racing circuits to test your driving skills, various social features to help players connect within the game, and perhaps most importantly, some much-needed improvements to the single-player experience.

For those who prefer solo adventures, these single-player tweaks are quite intriguing. BARB has reworked several core elements, including better enemy physics when they’re caught in explosions, adjustments to mission difficulties, an overhaul of AI pathing and behavior, snappier vehicle handling, and smoother animation transitions between movement, combat, and interactions. If the core campaign can become a solid, enjoyable experience, it could be a game-changer, especially with the current landscape of open-world shooters.

It’s no secret that Build a Rocket Boy has faced its share of controversies, from internal issues and layoffs to allegations from former staff. Despite these turbulences, their commitment to updating MindsEye is undeniably persistent. Whether these updates, especially the single-player refinements, are enough to turn the tide for MindsEye remains to be seen. But for gamers looking for something new in the open-world genre, it might just be worth another look.