Build a Rocket Boy Faces Layoffs Amidst Poor Performance of MindsEye
In a concerning development for the gaming industry, Build a Rocket Boy, the studio responsible for the worst-reviewed game of 2025 thus far, has reportedly initiated a mass layoff process that may affect over 100 employees. This comes on the heels of the disastrous launch of their title, MindsEye.
Details on the Layoff Process
As reported by IGN, the studio launched a 45-day consultation period starting on June 23. The exact number of job cuts remains uncertain, but UK law mandates this consultation when a company is planning “100 or more redundancies.”With Build a Rocket Boy employing approximately 300 people in the UK and an additional 200 globally, even a reduction of 100 employees would signify a substantial loss of one-fifth of its workforce.
Challenging Launch of MindsEye
The launch of MindsEye has faced significant criticism, a reality underscored by several alarming indicators. Prior to its release, preview content showed lackluster enthusiasm, and numerous negative Glassdoor reviews from employees highlighted internal strife within the studio. Additionally, one of the co-chief executive officers publicly suggested that individuals were being paid to sabotage the game’s reputation, compounded by the departure of two significant leaders just before launch.
Technical Issues and Backlash
Unforeseen complications escalated further when retail stores mistakenly released physical copies ahead of the confirmed launch date. Build a Rocket Boy acknowledged that these early sales lacked a vital day-one patch. When the game finally launched on June 10, it was riddled with technical problems, hampering performance on high-end PCs. Players on PS5 subsequently requested refunds due to the subpar experience, particularly given misleading claims about its ability to run at 60 FPS—a significant discrepancy considering the game is currently limited to 30 FPS across all consoles.
Studio’s Reaction and Community Response
Two days post-launch, the studio expressed its heartbreak over the negative reception and the myriad of issues players identified. Promising an array of upcoming fixes, they addressed some of the critical feedback through initial hotfixes. Yet, despite these efforts, Digital Foundry noted that MindsEye’s technical performance remains abysmal, further straining the studio’s credibility.
Future Uncertain for Build a Rocket Boy
As of now, Build a Rocket Boy has not provided any official statement regarding the layoff rumors or addressed the community concerns following the launch. The studio refuted allegations regarding the use of automated bots to generate positive responses to negative reviews, an assertion made after several posts with similar wording surfaced online.
Concerns Over Upcoming Projects
The question now looms over MindsEye’s commercial performance and what implications this might have for its anticipated flagship project, Everywhere. Initially planned as a premium experience embedded within Everywhere—a groundbreaking creation platform akin to Epic’s Fortnite—MindsEye eventually became a standalone release. While the studio reassured fans that Everywhere had not been derailed, prospects for its future seem increasingly uncertain.
Concluding Thoughts
Initially, MindsEye was envisioned as a proof-of-concept for the ambitious Everywhere platform. A successful launch would have catalyzed the development of this creation hub. However, given the current trajectory, it appears that MindsEye’s struggle may jeopardize not only its own future but also that of Everywhere.
Although it remains uncertain, a potential turnaround for MindsEye is still conceivable. Whether through substantial patches to remedy its early failures or a decisive pivot in strategy, the studio faces a crucial crossroads. Conversely, the specter of impending layoffs raises the troubling possibility of Build a Rocket Boy becoming another casualty of the gaming industry.
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