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MindsEye Developers Say They've Been Laid Off Amid Questions Over Build a Rocket Boy's Future

Employees said the studio is winding down permanently after MindsEye’s rough launch, multiple layoffs and union grievances, with staff posting redundancy notices online.

  • On Wednesday, Build a Rocket Boy, the studio owned by Leslie Benzies and Mark Gerhard behind the GTA-like MindsEye, is reportedly closing permanently as staff confirmed the shutdown on LinkedIn.
  • MindsEye's very rough launch in June 2025 triggered multiple rounds of layoffs and operational turmoil, compounded by allegations of "espionage and corporate sabotage" and disputes with the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain.
  • Over the past 24 hours, level designer Liam Shannon, QA analyst Elizabet Tyaneva, release manager Michaela Emslie, and production QA analyst Cameron Deaves announced redundancy on LinkedIn, with Emslie stating "After four years at Build a Rocket Boy, I've unfortunately been given my redundancy notice."
  • Principal talent acquisition partner Dan Hawkins stated he would help the studio "through till the very end" as Build a Rocket Boy assumes "sole publishing responsibilities" during the wind-down.
  • The permanent closure concludes Build a Rocket Boy's controversial history marked by multiple layoffs, collective grievances from the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, and accusations of crunch and unlawful employee monitoring.
Insights by Ground AI

22 Articles

EngadgetEngadget
Lean Left

MindsEye developer Build A Rocket Boy is reportedly shutting down

It's not terribly surprising after repeated rounds of layoffs.

·Fishers, United States
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Metro NewsMetro News
Lean Left

Studio behind one of the worst rated games of the generation set to close

Developer Build A Rocket Boy, led by Rockstar veterans, is set to shut down according to reports, after their debut game flopped.

·London, United Kingdom
Read Full Article
DestructoidDestructoid
Center

It seems MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy is closing for good

MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy seems to be in the process of shutting down, as indicated by a plethora of former employees.

Read Full Article
KotakuKotaku
Lean Left

The Studio Behind MindsEye Is Closing Following Latest Layoffs

Multiple Build a Rocket Boy employees have stated that their time at the MindsEye maker has come to an end, and sources have confirmed to Kotaku that the company is winding down for good

·New York, United States
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IGNIGN
Center

MindsEye Developers Say They've Been Laid Off Amid Questions Over Build a Rocket Boy's Future

Multiple developers of the disastrous MindsEye have said they’ve been laid off, casting doubt over the future of its controversial developer, Build A Rocket Boy.

·San Francisco, United States
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PolygonPolygon
Lean Left

MindsEye Developer Seemingly Shutting Down after New Round of Layoffs

MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy may be closing its doors for good over a year after the third-person action game's disastrous launch.

·New York, United States
Read Full Article
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ITC.ua broke the news on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
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