Alex Hernandez, the actor who brought characters to life in two significant video game titles, Mafia III and the recently released MindsEye, is openly considering ending his career in the gaming industry. His reflection comes after both games received less-than-stellar receptions, with MindsEye, in particular, facing harsh criticism from both players and critics.
In an interview with FRVR, Hernandez shared his candid thoughts on the situation, admitting that the failures of these projects have led him to question if his involvement might be a jinx. "I'm not a superstitious person, but I have a sort of spider-sense that tells me, 'Maybe it's me? Do I have the Midas touch in reverse, like a brown Midas touch that turns everything to poo?'" he mused, highlighting the personal toll such public disappointments can take.
Hernandez further explained that being the "face on the box" for a high-profile game is a double-edged sword. Actors, despite having little to no control over a game's final quality, often bear the brunt of player negativity. "I thought, 'Maybe I'll never work in the game industry again.' Because one of the drawbacks of being the face on the box is that people—justifiably or not—will associate all their opinions and, more importantly, their emotions from that game with my face," he stated. However, he quickly added that after allowing himself to process these feelings for a couple of days, with strong support from his wife, he realized that life goes on and that learning from such experiences is crucial.
While acknowledging players' right to their opinions, Hernandez also took the opportunity to address the darker side of online criticism. He emphasized that even strong disappointment does not justify wishing harm upon developers. "Gamers are a unique species (and I'm one of them): they have such a strong attachment to gameplay and the product, such strong feelings, and the internet is an anonymous place where people share things they would never share face-to-face with you, even if they can't stand something," he said. He strongly condemned extreme vitriol, stating, "No one would look you in the face and say, 'Everyone who worked on this game deserves to die.' That's, *bleep*, terrible; such people are idiots. No one would say that to your face."
The struggles of MindsEye have had a ripple effect beyond the acting talent. Hakan Abrak, the head of IO Interactive, the studio that published the action title, was also reportedly disheartened by its poor performance. This disappointing publishing debut has left Abrak unsure about IO Interactive's future in collaborating with other development studios, underscoring the significant impact that critical and commercial failures can have across the entire industry pipeline.
For players, this news highlights the human element behind game development and the often-unseen pressures faced by those who bring virtual worlds to life. While critical feedback is vital, Hernandez's comments serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of constructive discourse and the damaging effects of online toxicity on the individuals involved in creating our entertainment.
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