Unfortunately, layoffs are becoming a common headline in the gaming world, especially when a game doesn’t perform well. Build a Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, has now started laying off employees after the game’s rocky release left many disappointed.
Despite being led by former Grand Theft Auto developers, MindsEye failed to deliver the experience fans expected. Instead, it quickly became one of 2025’s worst-reviewed titles. Yikes, right? It’s surprising how much talk the game had before launch and how fast things fell apart.
Adding insult to injury, the studio faced backlash for allegedly posting fake positive reviews on social media, seriously hurting their credibility. Now, according to a report from IGN, layoffs have officially started. The number of affected staff isn’t clear, but the mandatory 45-day consultation process has begun as per UK law, since the company may propose over 100 redundancies within 90 days.
Build a Rocket Boy had bold plans for MindsEye’s future, including free and paid post-launch content with updates scheduled for summer, fall, and winter. But with staff cuts underway, those plans now seem shaky at best.
There were already signs of trouble before launch. The company’s Chief Legal Officer and Chief Financial Officer left just a week prior, which didn’t inspire confidence. It makes you wonder how a studio loses key executives right before a major release.
Honestly, the whole situation is a bit of a mess. Can Build a Rocket Boy turn things around? Or is this the beginning of a tough road ahead?
