Build a Rocket Boy Confirms Layoffs Following Troubled MindsEye LaunchBuild a Rocket Boy has officially confirmed reports originally shared by IGN that it is undergoing layoffs—less than a month after the rocky debut of its first game, MindsEye.
Although The Verge reached out for further comment, the studio did not respond. However, in a statement to IGN, Build a Rocket Boy said:
“We can confirm that we have had to make the painful decision to notify our hardworking team of some internal changes at Build A Rocket Boy. While we are working to reassign roles for as many of those impacted by these changes as possible, sadly we are initiating a formal consultation process that may result in redundancies. This decision has not been made lightly, and we are committed to handling this process with transparency, fairness, and respect for all employees. We will provide further details to the team over the coming weeks.”
MindsEye, a futuristic single-player narrative action game, was positioned as the foundation of an expansive interconnected universe by its creator Leslie Benzies, a former Rockstar Games producer best known for his work on the Grand Theft Auto series. However, its early release has been marred by negative reviews, widespread bugs, and last-minute cancellations of sponsored streams—further complicating the studio’s launch efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MindsEye?
MindsEye is a futuristic single-player narrative action game created by Build a Rocket Boy. It was designed to be the first chapter in a large, interconnected gaming universe.
Who developed MindsEye?
The game was developed by Build a Rocket Boy, a studio founded by former Rockstar Games producer Leslie Benzies, known for his work on the Grand Theft Auto series.
Why is Build a Rocket Boy laying off employees?
The studio confirmed internal restructuring and a formal consultation process that could lead to redundancies, just weeks after the troubled launch of MindsEye.
When did the layoffs begin?
Layoffs were confirmed less than a month after MindsEye was released, although an exact start date for the consultation process was not disclosed.
How many employees are affected by the layoffs?
The company has not officially stated the number of employees impacted by the layoffs.
Did the game’s poor launch contribute to the layoffs?
While the studio did not directly blame MindsEye’s reception, its launch was plagued by negative reviews, glitches, and cancelled sponsored streams, which may have contributed to the internal changes.
What issues did MindsEye face at launch?
Players reported performance issues, game-breaking bugs, and technical glitches. Some streamers even cancelled sponsored gameplay sessions moments before going live.
Has Build a Rocket Boy responded to media inquiries?
While the studio responded to IGN with a statement, it did not reply to The Verge’s request for further comment on the layoffs.
Are employees being reassigned to new roles?
According to the studio, they are working to reassign roles where possible, but layoffs remain a possibility due to the ongoing consultation process.
Will the layoffs affect future updates or content for MindsEye?
There is no official statement on how the layoffs will impact future development or updates for MindsEye at this time.
What has the studio said about how it’s handling the layoffs?
Build a Rocket Boy stated that it is approaching the process with transparency, fairness, and respect, and will share more information with the team in the coming weeks.
What’s next for Build a Rocket Boy?
The future is currently uncertain. While the company continues internal restructuring, it’s unclear how these changes will affect ongoing or upcoming projects beyond MindsEye.
Conclusion
The layoffs at Build a Rocket Boy—coming just weeks after the launch of MindsEye—highlight the unpredictable and often harsh realities of the gaming industry. Despite the game’s ambitious vision and the pedigree of its creators, technical issues and negative reception quickly overshadowed its debut. The studio’s swift move to restructure and initiate a formal consultation process suggests internal challenges that go beyond launch-day glitches.
While Build a Rocket Boy has pledged to handle the situation with transparency and fairness, the future of both the company and MindsEye remains uncertain. Ultimately, this serves as a reminder that even high-profile projects with veteran leadership are not immune to setbacks.
