Build A Rocket Boy Ends Publishing Agreement with IO Interactive Following Last Year’s MindsEye Fail

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Build a Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, has reportedly terminated its publishing agreement with IO Interactive, developers of Hitman and 007: First Light. This information comes from a detailed report by Insider Gaming. MindsEye was IO Interactive’s first title released under its new publishing label, and it appears it may also be the last amid claims from last year and this recent development.

According to the report, the initiative to end the partnership stems from Build a Rocket Boy’s desire to manage its own publishing efforts. This strategic move aims to grant the studio greater autonomy over its projects and future direction. Consequently, plans for a collaboration between MindsEye and Hitman have been shelved.

As the gaming landscape looks toward 2025, it’s worth noting that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has received numerous Game of the Year accolades, standing out starkly against MindsEye. The latter has been marked as the worst-reviewed game of 2025 on Metacritic, earning a dismal score of 37 following a catastrophic release.

Critics and players alike described the game as heavily riddled with bugs at launch, leading to PlayStation issuing refunds due to its numerous failures. Those moments when the game was operational failed to impress, as it was derided for a lack of content and a less-than-compelling narrative.

For Build a Rocket Boy, this has resulted in a difficult predicament. While the game didn’t have disastrous sales initially, the negative feedback, coupled with a surge of viral memes showcasing its flaws, severely hindered any potential momentum. The studio faced layoffs, and a poignant open letter from developers criticized the leadership, including the ex-Rockstar producer Leslie Benzies.

A subsequent exposé from the BBC further detailed the internal discord within Build a Rocket Boy. Despite efforts to patch and improve the game, concerns abound that the studio may deplete its financial resources before realizing its full vision for MindsEye.

Given this challenging backdrop, it’s curious that the separation from IO Interactive is attributed to Build a Rocket Boy. This could indicate a possible strategy for a comeback that prioritizes their independent control. However, as of now, neither party has confirmed or denied the report’s validity.

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