Build A Rocket Boy Faces Closure Amid Layoffs and Criticism
Build A Rocket Boy, developer of the poorly received game MindsEye, is reportedly on the verge of shutting down. Multiple rounds of significant layoffs have occurred, impacting hundreds of employees. The studio faces allegations of mismanagement, surveillance, and a contentious relationship with its former publisher.
Coverage across 23 outlets
MindsEye and Everywhere developer Build A Rocket Boy appears to be headed for shutdown after fresh layoffs
Build A Rocket Boy, the developer behind MindsEye and Everywhere, appears to be facing shutdown following significant layoffs. Insiders suggest the studio is winding down operations, though official statements are pending. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain has spoken out against alleged mistreatment of employees and pledged support to those affected.
Former GTA 5 lead's studio reportedly closing as MindsEye devs announce their departure from Build A Rocket Boy
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio founded by former Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies, is reportedly closing down. This follows the highly negative reception of their game MindsEye and allegations of poor management, including excessive overtime and layoffs. Several employees have announced their departures on LinkedIn, with HR lead Dan Hawkins indicating the studio is being wound down.
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.
Rapport: Mindseye-utvecklaren är på väg att slå igen
Build a Rocket Boy, the studio founded by Grand Theft Auto veteran Leslie Benzies, appears to be on the verge of closure. Multiple developers have reported being laid off, and sources suggest the company is shutting down. The studio's game, Mindseye, received significant criticism and was named Metacritic's worst game of the year.
More MindsEye developers have been laid off, and GTA veteran Leslie Benzie's studio is reportedly shutting down
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio founded by Grand Theft Auto veteran Leslie Benzies, is reportedly facing another round of significant layoffs and may be permanently shutting down. This follows previous job cuts and a turbulent year for its game, MindsEye, which received a one-star review and suffered from numerous technical issues.
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.
MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy may finally be closing
Build a Rocket Boy (BARB), the developer behind the game MindsEye, appears to be closing down entirely, with reports indicating all remaining employees are being laid off. This follows multiple rounds of cuts, allegations of mismanagement and surveillance, and a contentious relationship with former publisher IO Interactive after the poorly received launch of MindsEye.
Report: MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy seemingly closing after more layoffs
Build a Rocket Boy, the studio behind the game MindsEye, is reportedly closing its doors following multiple rounds of layoffs. Developers have been posting farewell messages on social media, and sources indicate the studio is winding down operations. The company has faced a tumultuous development cycle for MindsEye, including allegations of mismanagement and legal claims.
MindsEye developers report new round of layoffs at Build A Rocket Boy
Scottish studio Build a Rocket Boy has reportedly conducted another round of layoffs, impacting staff including principal talent acquisition partner Dan Hawkins. This follows previous redundancies after the poorly received launch of their game, MindsEye, and the conclusion of a publishing agreement with IOI Partners.
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 Developers Say They've Been Laid Off Amid Questions Over Build a Rocket Boy's Future
Multiple developers have reportedly been laid off from MindsEye, a game that has faced significant controversy. These layoffs cast further doubt on the future of its developer, Build A Rocket Boy.
"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."
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 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 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.
