In a significant legal blow to the games industry, MindsEye staff sue developer Build a Rocket Boy (BARB) following allegations of invasive surveillance. The lawsuit follows reports that company leadership admitted to installing secret monitoring software on employee hardware without proper consent.
Why MindsEye Staff Sue Developer
The controversy began in February when employees noticed their computers were running significantly slower than usual. According to reports from GamesIndustry.biz, this performance drop led to the discovery of Teramind employee monitoring software installed on company machines.
During a subsequent company meeting, co-CEO Mark Gerhard reportedly acknowledged the installation. He attributed the move to "the 1% that is the problem," referencing his unproven claims that a small group of staff members were attempting to sabotage the studio from within.
The Capabilities of Teramind Software
While BARB has since removed the software, serious concerns remain regarding data protection laws and what sensitive information may have been captured. Teramind is marketed as a tool to "enhance team productivity," but its features include highly invasive tracking methods:
- Capturing screenshots and "irrefutable screen recordings"
- Logging all web and application activity
- Tracking employee keystrokes
- Monitoring work time for both in-office and remote workers
The IWGB Game Workers Union has officially launched legal action, alleging that BARB's use of Teramind violated data protection laws. The union claims the software breached the "basic dignity" of employees by recording individuals inside their homes without their knowledge.
Allegations of a Toxic Culture
The movement where MindsEye staff sue developer BARB highlights deep-seated issues within the studio. Chris Wilson, the lead cinematic animator for MindsEye, issued a scathing statement regarding the studio's management style.
"Build A Rocket Boy's toxic culture of secrecy and micromanaging is one of the worst I've seen in a 20 year career in the gaming industry," Wilson stated. He noted that while the software was removed, the atmosphere of mistrust created by such actions is detrimental to high-quality game production.
This legal battle is separate from another ongoing dispute involving the IWGB. The union is also challenging BARB's handling of mass layoffs last summer, which saw 300 employees depart following a disappointing release for MindsEye. The IWGB alleges that this process included unlawful blacklisting and a failure to conduct proper consultations, a move that could cost the studio millions.
