Build a Rocket Boy, the Edinburgh-based studio behind MindsEye, has reportedly begun a mass layoff process following the game’s troubled launch.
According to Video Games Chronicle, the studio initiated a 45-day consultation period on June 23 under UK law—which is required when an employer plans to lay off 100 or more staff within 90 days—suggesting that at least 100 employees may be affected.
Released on June 10 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X/S, MindsEye was envisioned as a showcase for the “Everywhere” platform created by former Rockstar producer Leslie Benzies. However, the game was met with overwhelming criticism due to severe technical issues, performance problems, and broken features. It currently holds some of the lowest Metacritic scores of the year—38 on PC and 28 on PS5—and has prompted refunds through Sony’s channels, echoing the reception of Cyberpunk 2077.
An anonymous source cited by IGN noted that Build a Rocket Boy employees in the UK—about 300 in total—could see up to a third of the team affected, while roughly 200 other staff worldwide may also be at risk. The studio began rolling out hotfixes and a public roadmap to fix MindsEye. Still, even after a day‑one patch, outlets like Digital Foundry described its performance as “abject,” with high-end setups still struggling.
The layoffs compound recent controversies surrounding the project. Co-CEO Mark Gerhard publicly alleged a coordinated campaign or “bot farms” were targeting the game with negative reviews, claims later dismissed by IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak. Two key executives also abruptly departed right before launch, and the studio failed to provide review codes ahead of release, which fueled further scepticism.
This marks a significant setback for Build a Rocket Boy, whose ambitions for MindsEye and the wider Everywhere platform were central to its vision. The outcome of the consultation process, due by early August, will determine the extent of the studio’s restructuring and influence the future of its broader development roadmap.
