Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind the highly anticipated title MindsEye, has reportedly undergone a massive restructuring following its recent release. According to reports from Kotaku, the developer has laid off approximately 170 employees in its latest round of workforce reductions.
The news has surfaced primarily through former and departing staff members sharing updates on platforms like LinkedIn and Discord. If these estimates are correct, the studio's headcount has plummeted from roughly 250 members down to just 80 remaining staff.
The Impact of MindsEye Performance on Build A Rocket Boy
The scale of these layoffs suggests a significant struggle for the developer following the launch of MindsEye. While the project initially generated massive hype, the game's performance upon release was far from ideal.
- Poor Critical Reception: MindsEye was noted as one of the worst-reviewed games of 2025.
- Massive Staff Reductions: An estimated 68% of the workforce has been let go.
- Studio Instability: The reduction leaves Build A Rocket Boy with only about 80 employees.
The studio was founded in 2016 by Leslie Benzies, a former Rockstar Games executive. Given his prominent history with the Grand Theft Auto franchise, expectations for the studio's output were incredibly high heading into the game's launch last year.
Controversy Surrounding the MindsEye Layoffs
The fallout from the game's release has been accompanied by unusual claims from the studio's leadership. Rather than attributing the game's failure to technical or design issues, Build A Rocket Boy co-CEO Mark Gerhard has pointed toward external interference.
Gerhard has expressed his belief that a concerted effort to "trash" the game was at play. Furthermore, he suggested that corporate espionage played a role in the game's shortcomings and subsequent critical backlash. Despite these claims, the financial and operational reality of the layoffs remains a stark indicator of the studio's current position.
