Rocket Boy's MindsEye Studio Begins Layoffs After Rocky Launch

Build A Rocket Boy has initiated redundancy procedures following the troubled release of MindsEye, potentially impacting more than 100 employees, according to studio sources speaking with IGN.

An anonymous insider revealed that while the exact number of affected staff remains unclear, the mandatory 45-day consultation period begins today, June 23. This process is automatically initiated under UK law when companies propose 100+ layoffs within 90 days. Build A Rocket Boy reportedly employs approximately 300 UK-based and 200 international staff.

IGN has reached out to Build A Rocket Boy for official comment.

Employees now await confirmation regarding their employment status, raising concerns about the studio's ability to deliver promised post-launch content, including multiplayer features, according to schedule.

Last week, the studio expressed regret regarding technical issues plaguing MindsEye's launch, committing to a series of patches addressing performance problems, bugs, and AI behavior. These updates have reportedly begun deployment.

MindsEye's problematic release prompted canceled promotional streams and widespread refunds - reportedly even from Sony, which typically maintains strict refund policies.

Steam metrics (though not fully representative of overall player engagement) show MindsEye peaked at 3,302 concurrent players at launch, dwindling to just 130 players within 24 hours. Current active players number 52, with 'Mostly Negative' user reviews.

Originally part of the Everywhere platform - dubbed 'Roblox for adults' by former GTA design lead Leslie Benzies - MindsEye became Build A Rocket Boy's flagship narrative-driven adventure. The Edinburgh-based studio's pivot hasn't yielded commercial success.

In internal communications obtained by IGN, co-CEO Mark Gerhard affirmed continued support for MindsEye while transitioning from intensive development to sustained post-launch operations.

Pre-launch, Gerhard attracted controversy by alleging organized attempts to sabotage MindsEye's reputation through paid trolls or bot campaigns - claims subsequently denied by IO Interactive's leadership.