Build A Rocket Boy has started laying off employees following the poor launch of their game MindsEye. The studio could cut over 100 jobs, according to sources who spoke to IGN.
The Edinburgh-based developer confirmed the layoffs in a statement but did not specify how many staff would be affected. The company said it was starting a “formal consultation process that may result in redundancies.”
Major Layoffs Expected
Studio sources told IGN that the layoffs could affect more than 100 employees. UK law requires a 45-day consultation process when companies plan to cut 100 or more jobs within 90 days.
Build A Rocket Boy currently employs around 300 people in the UK and 200 more in other countries. Staff now wait to learn if they will lose their jobs.
Game Launch Problems
MindsEye launched with serious technical issues including performance problems, glitches, and broken AI behavior. The developer called the launch “heartbroken” and promised patches to fix the issues.
The game performed poorly on Steam, peaking at only 3,302 concurrent players on launch day. Within 24 hours, that number dropped to just 130 players. At the time of this report, only 52 people were playing the game on Steam.
MindsEye has a “mostly negative” user review rating on Steam. The poor reception led to cancelled sponsored streams and reports of players getting refunds, even from Sony which rarely approves refunds.
Studio Background
Build A Rocket Boy originally planned MindsEye as part of a larger project called Everywhere, described as “Roblox for adults.” The studio switched focus to MindsEye but the game has failed commercially.
The company is led by Leslie Benzies, former design chief for Grand Theft Auto games. Before launch, co-CEO Mark Gerhard claimed there was a “concerted effort” to “trash the game,” suggesting paid critics and spam bots were attacking the studio.
The layoffs raise questions about whether Build A Rocket Boy can deliver promised content updates, including a multiplayer mode, for MindsEye.
