The situation at MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy has taken another weird turn in the form of a video chat between founder Leslie Benzies and employees. According to an IGN report, Benzies has committed to a "re-launch" of MindsEye, presumably with the goal of setting the game on a redemption arc, even though the entire studio is at risk of being let go.
Looming layoffs at Build a Rocket Boy were first confirmed last week, with the beginning of a 45-day consultancy period required by law in the UK when a company is planning to lay off more than 100 employees.
Today's IGN report says the redundancy emails have been sent to everyone at Build a Rocket Boy's UK studio, however—estimated to be around 300 people—as well as to staff at PlayFusion, developer of the multiplayer shooter Ascendant, which Build a Rocket Boy acquired in 2024. That does not bode well for the studio's promise to keep working on the game until it doesn't suck.
He also blamed at least some of the troubles with the game and the studio on—and I'm quoting IGN here—"internal and external saboteurs, among other things."
Another big hurdle is that there really doesn't appear to be much interest in a comeback. It's only been three weeks since MindsEye launched, and there are currently 26 people playing it on Steam. That's not the whole story—MindsEye is also available on console—but it's sure not a good sign.
Build a Rocket Boy has not yet commented publicly on any of this, and it remains to be seen what it all adds up to—probably nothing is my guess, but I'm genuinely curious where it all goes next. I've reached out to ask about its specific plans for the relaunch, and the conspiracy against it, and if someone happens to fill me in, I'll let you know.
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