Rocket Boy studio MindsEye begins layoffs after troubled launch

Build A Rocket Boy has initiated redundancy procedures following MindsEye's troubled launch, potentially impacting over 100 employees, according to studio sources speaking to IGN.

An anonymous source disclosed to IGN that while the exact number of affected staff remains unclear, the mandatory 45-day consultation period begins today, June 23. Under UK employment law, this process activates when companies propose 100+ redundancies within 90 days. Build A Rocket Boy reportedly employs approximately 300 UK-based staff alongside 200 international workers.

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

Employees now await critical decisions about their futures as questions arise regarding the studio's ability to deliver promised post-launch content, including multiplayer features, according to schedule.

Last week, Build A Rocket Boy expressed devastation over technical issues plaguing MindsEye's launch, pledging multiple patches to address performance problems, glitches, and AI behavior flaws. Initial updates have already commenced.

The rocky launch prompted canceled promotional streams and unprecedented refund approvals, including from Sony's typically stringent policy. Steam metrics, while limited in scope, reveal concerning trends: MindsEye peaked at 3,302 concurrent players during launch but dwindled to just 130 players within 24 hours. Current live player counts stand at 52, accompanied by predominantly negative user reviews.

Originally conceived as part of Everywhere - Leslie Benzies' adult-oriented game creation platform - MindsEye became Build A Rocket Boy's primary focus. However, the Edinburgh-based studio's narrative-driven action-adventure game has yet to deliver commercial success.

In internal communications obtained by IGN, Co-CEO Mark Gerhard reaffirmed commitment to MindsEye while announcing a transition from intensive development to sustainable post-launch operations.

Pre-launch controversy surrounded Gerhard's allegations of orchestrated smear campaigns involving paid critics and bot-generated negativity - claims subsequently denied by IO Interactive's leadership.