Mark Gerhard
Reporting and statements that mention Mark Gerhard.
Latest coverage
MindsEye Developer Facing Difficult Future
Build a Rocket Boy, the developer behind MindsEye, is reportedly facing potential closure and significant layoffs, with over 400 employees already affected since the game's troubled launch in June 2025. While some reports suggest a complete shutdown, others indicate the company might continue as a legal entity. The game received extremely poor reviews, with Metacritic scores of 39 on PC and 29 on PlayStation 5.
Studio Behind GTA-Like PlayStation 5 Game Shuts Down
Build a Rocket Boy, the studio behind the PlayStation 5 game MindsEye, is shutting down permanently after multiple rounds of layoffs and accusations of unlawful employee monitoring. The IWGB Games Worker Union has stated its commitment to seeking justice for the workers. Several employees have confirmed their departure from the company.
Studio behind one of the worst rated games of the generation set to close
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind the poorly received game Mindseye, is reportedly closing down permanently. The developer, founded by former Rockstar Games president Leslie Benzies, has faced multiple rounds of layoffs and legal action from employees. Sources indicate the studio had around 100 employees remaining.
MindsEye studio Build A Rocket Boy appear to be making fresh redundancies, as one staffer says he's "helping wrap things up here in the HR department"
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind the game MindsEye, appears to be undergoing significant staff redundancies. Multiple employees, including a principal talent acquisition partner and a release manager, have indicated they are leaving the company due to layoffs. This follows previous legal claims against the studio regarding alleged mishandling of redundancies and data privacy violations.
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.
"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."
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.
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.
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 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.
MindsEye Studio Hit With New Round of Layoffs, Reportedly Affecting Around 170 Workers
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, has reportedly laid off around 170 employees, reducing its workforce to approximately 80. This follows a previous round of layoffs in March, which CEO Mark Gerhard attributed to espionage and sabotage. Several former employees have spoken out about the redundancies and alleged spying software used by the company.
MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy lays off even more people
Developer Build a Rocket Boy has conducted another round of layoffs, reportedly affecting up to 170 employees, following the poor reception of its MindsEye DLC, Blacklisted. This follows previous reductions that aimed to shrink the studio from over 800 employees to around 100. The game's concurrent player count on Steam has also fallen to a low of 11.
MindsEye Dev Reportedly Laid Off 170 Of 250 Employees
Build A Rocket Boy, the developer of MindsEye, has reportedly laid off approximately 170 of its 250 employees. This follows the game's poor reception last year and previous rounds of layoffs. The company has also faced accusations of installing surveillance software and issues with crunch time.
PS5 Gigaflop Mindseye Gets a Permanent Price Reduction, Free Update and PS Plus Premium Trial
Build a Rocket Boy has permanently reduced the price of their game MindsEye to $34.99 and is offering a two-hour trial for PlayStation Plus Premium members. A new free mission, BLACKLISTED, has been released as part of the game's ongoing support, delivered through its ARCADIA user-generated content platform.
I played the MindsEye mission about the alleged game saboteurs, and it sucks so bad
The 'Blacklisted' mission for the narrative shooter MindsEye, developed by Build a Rocket Boy, is a poorly executed and uninteresting experience. Originally intended as a Hitman crossover, the mission fails to provide any convincing evidence for the alleged sabotage against the studio, despite its short length and lack of engaging gameplay or story elements.
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.
