Build a Rocket Boy
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MindsEye has multiplayer and a grenade football mode now, which the handful of people still playing it will no doubt be…
Despite a poor reception and sales, developer Build A Rocket Boy has released a significant update for its open world shooter MindsEye, adding a team-based multiplayer mode called 'grenade football'. The update also includes new racing circuits, social features, and improvements to enemy physics, AI, and vehicle handling.
MindsEye Debuts Bizarre Multiplayer Grenade Football Minigame in Latest Update
MindsEye has released a trailer for Grenade Football, a new 5v5 competitive multiplayer mode for Arcadia where players use grenade launchers to score goals. This mode is part of Update 8 and is accompanied by the single-player time trial event, Silva E-Series: Summer Circuits. The article notes the developer Build a Rocket Boy's continued mysterious reputation.
MindsEye’s Latest Update Changes Its Ending
Build a Rocket Boy has released Update 8 for MindsEye, introducing significant changes to the game's ending and adding new narrative concepts like reincarnation and the protagonist being 'the first of the chosen'. The update, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, also includes a new competitive multiplayer mode called Grenade Football and a rework of the 'A Strange Happening' mission. This update follows previous controversies regarding CEO Mark Gerhard's statements about saboteurs and recent layoffs affecting around 170 employees.
MindsEye Free Weekend
A free weekend is currently available on Steam for the action-adventure game MindsEye, developed by Build A Rocket Boy. This event allows players to experience the game firsthand.
Comings and Goings
Unionized former developers from MindsEye are protesting an alleged fan playtest at Build A Rocket Boy, calling it a "kick in the teeth" for recently fired workers. The protest highlights ongoing labor disputes within the game development industry.
"A kick in the teeth for the fired workers": Unionised former MindsEye devs protest alleged fan playtest at Build A Rocket Boy
The IWGB union, representing former employees of Build a Rocket Boy (BARB), protested outside the studio's offices. They accuse BARB of hosting an expenses-paid fan playtest event for their game, MindsEye, shortly after mass layoffs, calling it a "kick in the teeth" to the former workers. The union also alleges BARB management installed surveillance software on employee PCs to identify "saboteurs."
'A kick in the teeth:' Game workers protest alleged misconduct at MindsEye developer Build A Rocket Boy
Game workers protested alleged misconduct and mismanagement at MindsEye developer Build A Rocket Boy (BARB) over alleged data privacy violations and handling of layoffs. The IWGB Game Workers Union is taking legal action against the studio, founded by Leslie Benzies, over surveillance software and recent job cuts. The union criticized BARB's decision to host an expenses-paid fan playtest day for MindsEye, calling it a misuse of funds and a 'kick in the teeth' to laid-off employees.
Former MindsEye Studio Employees to Protest “All-Expenses-Paid Playtest Day”
Former employees of Build a Rocket Boy are planning a protest outside the studio's Edinburgh office regarding an "all-expenses-paid playtest day" for their Arcadia platform, occurring shortly after significant layoffs. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is organizing the protest, which aims to highlight the studio's decision to host a community event despite recent staff reductions.
MindsEye developers protest against a fan event their own studio is hosting
Developers at Build a Rocket Boy are planning to protest an upcoming on-site playtest event for their game MindsEye, citing recent layoffs and concerns over labor practices. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is supporting the protest, which highlights the studio's spending on fan events while allegedly mistreating its workforce.
Build a Rocket Boy staff to protest upcoming "all-expenses-paid" fan event
Staff at Build a Rocket Boy are planning a protest outside their Edinburgh offices this weekend. Workers are reportedly unhappy about an upcoming "all-expenses-paid" fan event for the game MindsEye, especially given the studio's significant headcount cuts and the game's poor reception since its June 2025 release. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain is expected to join the demonstration.
Workers at MindsEye studio protesting controversial fan event this weekend after multiple rounds of layoffs
Workers at the MindsEye development studio, Build A Rocket Boy, are protesting a fan event scheduled for this weekend due to the company's recent multiple rounds of layoffs. Employees, supported by the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain, are also concerned about alleged invasive surveillance software previously installed on their devices. This protest follows a history of labor disputes and accusations of corporate sabotage against the studio's leadership.
Take-Two CEO seems to take shot at MindsEye studio, says 'the folks at Rockstar seem to be able to make these massive hits' while former Rockstar employees 'haven’t been able to do it'
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick commented on the importance of critical reviews for games like Grand Theft Auto 6, highlighting Rockstar Games' consistent ability to produce hits. He also seemingly contrasted Rockstar's success with that of other studios, including MindsEye and Build A Rocket Boy, which feature former Rockstar employees, suggesting they have not yet replicated that level of success.
What's going on at Build A Rocket Boy? Layoffs, legal action, and more
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, has conducted a third round of layoffs, reducing its staff to 80 employees. This follows previous rounds of redundancies and ongoing legal action from employees and the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain over alleged mistreatment and the installation of surveillance software without consent. The studio's leadership has attributed the game's poor performance and studio issues to corporate sabotage, a claim that led to the termination of their partnership with publisher IO Interactive.
MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy has reportedly laid off even more staff
Build a Rocket Boy, the developer behind the upcoming game MindsEye, has reportedly laid off approximately 170 employees. This follows previous reports of staff reductions at the company.
MindsEye’s salvaged Hitman DLC cuts Agent 47, and seemingly a good chunk of its staff, too
Build A Rocket Boy (BARB), the studio behind MindsEye, has reportedly conducted another round of layoffs, impacting senior staff and other developers. This follows the release of a salvaged DLC, now titled Blacklisted, which was originally a Hitman collaboration but had Agent 47 removed. IO Interactive confirmed the end of its partnership with BARB, and the DLC was released with significant changes.
MindsEye Developer Hit With Another Round of Layoffs
Build A Rocket Boy, the developer of MindsEye, has undergone another round of significant layoffs, impacting approximately 170 employees. This follows the termination of IO Interactive's publishing collaboration, with Build A Rocket Boy now handling publishing in-house. The game has also faced poor critical and player reception, with its co-CEO alleging a smear campaign against the title.
MindsEye Saga Hits a New Low as Mass Layoffs Cripple PS5 Flop's 'Comeback'
Developer Build A Rocket Boy has reportedly laid off approximately 170 employees, reducing its staff to around 80 people. This marks the third round of layoffs for the company since the troubled launch of its open-world shooter, MindsEye. The studio's attempts to rework and relaunch the game have seemingly failed to restore interest, compounded by accusations of privacy violations.
MindsEye Developer Build a Rocket Boy Hit by Yet More Layoffs
MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy has undergone another round of layoffs, reducing its staff to approximately 80 employees. This marks the third significant staff reduction in the past year, following a troubled launch for their game, MindsEye. CEO Mark Gerhard attributed the cuts to 'corporate sabotage,' while the studio also faces a lawsuit alleging unauthorized surveillance.
MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy reportedly lay off around two thirds of 250 remaining staff following release of sabotage mission
Build a Rocket Boy (BARB), also known as MindsEye, has reportedly laid off approximately 170 of its 250 remaining staff. This follows the recent release of an in-game mission called Blacklisted, which alludes to alleged corporate sabotage. CEO Mark Gerhard previously stated the studio had evidence of espionage and that the layoffs were necessary for the company's long-term future.
Build a Rocket Boy reportedly hit with more layoffs
Developer Build a Rocket Boy, also known as MindsEye, has reportedly undergone its third round of layoffs in the past year, with approximately 80 employees remaining out of a previous total of 250. CEO Mark Gerhard previously stated that further reductions were necessary for the company's long-term future. The studio is currently undergoing a 'reset' for its game, MindsEye, following negative reception at launch due to bugs and performance issues.
