MindsEye developer announce layoffs after game was critically panned
Build A Rocket Boy, the developer behind MindsEye, has confirmed reports of layoffs less than a month after the troubled release of its debut title.
The company, which has yet to comment further, acknowledged the staffing reductions in a statement to IGN, calling the decision a difficult one.
The studio has not disclosed the exact number of employees affected by the layoffs, but reports suggest that around 100 of the company’s 500 employees could be impacted.
MindsEye, a futuristic, single-player narrative action game, was designed as the first entry in an expansive interconnected universe, with high expectations surrounding its release.
The title was developed by Leslie Benzies, the former Rockstar Games producer known for his work on the Grand Theft Auto series.
MindsEye developers Break a Rocket Boy have reportedly already began laying off over a hundred staff after a disastrous launch.
This game has really been a rollercoaster to watch, a Concord level failure that’ll probably result in the closure of BARB soon. What a mess. pic.twitter.com/E6Aa3z8PaqHowever, the launch of MindsEye was far from smooth.
The game faced widespread criticism for its performance issues, glitches, and poor reviews.
In addition to negative feedback from critics, sponsored streams for the game were abruptly cancelled just before they were set to go live, further denting its reputation.
Despite initial optimism, including a roadmap for future content and multiplayer elements, MindsEye failed to deliver on its ambitious promises, leaving Build A Rocket Boy to manage the fallout.
In its statement, Build A Rocket Boy expressed its commitment to transparency and fairness during the process and promised to explore reassigning roles for affected staff where possible.
The company also stressed that it would continue working on MindsEye, despite the challenges ahead.
As MindsEye navigates a difficult post-launch period, the studio faces an uphill battle.
In a gaming landscape dominated by established titles like Fortnite and Roblox, new entries must contend with long-standing "forever games" that continually evolve and attract dedicated player bases.
The future of MindsEye and its interconnected universe remains uncertain as Build A Rocket Boy works to recover from the initial setback.