Leslie Benzies, a name synonymous with the groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, is back in the spotlight with his latest venture, “Everywhere.” The Scottish video game producer and former president of Rockstar North has always been a trailblazer in the gaming industry. After parting ways with Rockstar in a high-profile legal battle, Benzies is now focused on his new project, which promises to redefine the boundaries of gaming.
Early Life and Career
Born on January 17, 1971, in Aberdeen, Scotland, Benzies was a self-taught programmer who wrote his first game at the age of 11. He began his professional career in 1995 at DMA Design, which later became Rockstar North. He was the lead developer for the GTA series from GTA III to GTA V.
The Rockstar Years
Benzies was the driving force behind the GTA series, which revolutionized open-world gaming. However, his journey with Rockstar came to an abrupt end in 2016. He left the company and subsequently filed a lawsuit against Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, claiming $150 million in unpaid royalties.
The New Horizon: “Everywhere”
Today, Benzies is the Game Director at Build A Rocket Boy, an independent game development studio. They have just released the official reveal trailer for “Everywhere,” a game that aims to offer a world of almost endless possibilities. The game is currently in its Closed Alpha testing phase, and players can sign up to be among the first to experience it.
“Everywhere” is designed to be a community-driven platform where players can participate in almost infinite activities or create their own. With its free, easy-to-use design tool called ARCADIA, players can build games, levels, activities, events, or even their own worlds without any coding skills. The game also features various biomes to explore, secrets to discover, and portals leading to other worlds.
Benzies’ Vision
“We believe in a future where game creation is put in the hands of players. With ‘Everywhere,’ we aim to empower anyone to innovate, take risks, and build their own worlds,” says Benzies.
Conclusion
Leslie Benzies has always been a visionary, and his latest project, “Everywhere,” seems to be another step in that direction. As the gaming world eagerly awaits the public release of “Everywhere,” one thing is clear: Benzies is not done pushing the boundaries of what is possible in gaming.
Read more here at wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Benzies