MindsEye
MindsEye business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
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.
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.
Laid-Off MindsEye Developers Plan Protest Outside Company Office Over 'All-Expenses-Paid Playtest Day'
Former MindsEye developers plan to protest outside the studio's office following their layoffs. The protest is in response to what the laid-off employees describe as an "all-expenses-paid playtest day" being organized by the company.
Issues and Activism
Workers at MindsEye studio are protesting a controversial fan event following multiple rounds of layoffs. Separately, a fan-made Destiny 2 game allows players to throw tomatoes at a former Bungie CEO, highlighting ongoing issues within the gaming community.
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.
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 lays off around 170 more employees following story campaign update inspired by alleged sabotage
MindsEye, the studio behind Build A Rocket Boy, has reportedly laid off approximately 170 more employees, reducing its staff to around 80. This follows previous layoffs and the exit of publisher IOI Partners. CEO Mark Gerhard has cited external sabotage attempts, a narrative reflected in the recent 'Blacklisted' content update, though former employees dispute the sabotage claims.
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.
More Layoffs Reportedly Hit MindsEye Developer Build a Rocket Boy
Developer MindsEye, known for the upcoming game Build a Rocket Boy, has reportedly experienced further layoffs. This news follows the recent release of the game's 'Blacklisted' update.
Business and Finance
MindsEye, the studio behind the game rated as the worst for 2025, has been affected by new mass layoffs. Separately, Wizards of the Coast and its parent company Hasbro missed a deadline to voluntarily recognize a workers' union.
Morning Interviews
A developer from MindsEye has broken their silence regarding alleged chaos and mismanagement within the company. The interview provides an inside perspective on the internal workings and challenges faced by the development studio.
MindsEye's New Blacklisted DLC Is Out Now, And Things Are Seeminly Not Improving
MindsEye has released its new Blacklisted DLC, coinciding with a price cut for the base game amidst ongoing criticism. The DLC, which features an assassin named Julia Black, reportedly touches on themes of sabotage and internal company strife, mirroring real-life allegations surrounding the game's troubled launch. Despite the new content, player reception remains largely negative, with ongoing concerns about dialogue, voice acting, and overall game quality, further compounded by reports of invasive employee monitoring software used by the developer.
MindsEye's mission about Build a Rocket Boy's alleged "saboteurs" is a rather meh Hitman impression that saw me waste 30 minutes swearing in a warehouse
The MindsEye mission 'Blacklisted' for Build a Rocket Boy is a Hitman-inspired stealth experience that falls short of its inspiration. The review criticizes the game's underdeveloped stealth mechanics and linear objectives, noting that the mission's narrative elements referencing industry drama are largely inconsequential. Despite some action sequences, the overall impression is that of a missed opportunity.
MindsEye’s Former Developers Speak Out Against Crunch Culture at Build A Rocket Boy
Former developers from Build A Rocket Boy have spoken out about the studio's pervasive crunch culture, which led to significant mental and physical health issues among staff. Employees, including lead animator Chris Wilson and lead games analyst Ben Newborn, detailed months-long crunch periods, particularly within the cinematics team, with inadequate pay and excessive overtime. The use of employee monitoring software and a perceived lack of respect from leadership were cited as major grievances.
MindsEye studio faces new legal action over employee surveillance software that workers' union alleges was 'recording individuals in their homes and without their consent'
MindsEye, the developer of Build a Rocket Boy, is facing new legal action from the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain's Game Workers branch. The union alleges that the company's installation of Teramind surveillance software on employee PCs, which tracks keystrokes, screen activity, and microphone audio, violates data protection laws and the workers' privacy by recording individuals in their homes without consent.
MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy sued by unionised staff, who accuse management of breaking the law with "invasive" surveillance software
Unionized staff at MindsEye developers Build a Rocket Boy are suing the studio, alleging that the installation of surveillance software violated data protection laws and their basic dignity. The IWGB Game Workers Union claims the software, Teramind, recorded keystrokes, screen activity, and microphone audio without employee consent or transparency about data collection. The lawsuit is separate from previous claims regarding mishandled redundancies.
