Build a Rocket Boy announced another round of layoffs in a LinkedIn message from co-CEO Mark Gerhard. The company said the decision was “deeply painful” and praised the employees affected as “enormously talented.” The LinkedIn announcement is available on the studio’s post.
Gerhard reiterated his contention that MindsEye’s launch was harmed by what he described as “organized espionage” and corporate sabotage. The statement says the studio is working with external partners and legal advisors to investigate what it calls the “criminal activity” surrounding the release, and that because the matter is moving toward prosecution the company cannot share full details publicly yet.
The company said the extended fallout from MindsEye’s difficult launch has contributed to this fresh round of job cuts. Gerhard thanked staff impacted by the redundancies and said the studio will support them as they look for new opportunities.
For background, Build a Rocket Boy previously reduced staff after MindsEye’s rocky release, and that earlier round of layoffs is summarized in a prior piece that noted the studio had already begun staff cuts following the game’s reception. You can read more about those earlier layoffs in our previous coverage. Layoffs and server closures have continued to be a major story in the industry. Wildlight Entertainment recently announced it will shut the Highguard servers on March 12, taking the game offline less than two months after launch.
If you have thoughts on MindsEye, the studio’s messaging, or the espionage claims, sound off in the comments below.
