Former Rockstar developer’s studio reportedly shutting down after MindsEye struggles

Build a Rocket Boy is reportedly shutting down after MindsEye faced criticism and studio underwent multiple layoffs

Build a Rocket Boy, the studio founded by former Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies and developer of MindsEye, is reportedly shutting down following another round of layoffs.

Multiple Build a Rocket Boy employees have announced that they are leaving the company.

Kotaku, citing sources familiar with the situation, reports that the studio is permanently closing, although Build a Rocket Boy has not publicly confirmed the closure.

Principal talent acquisition partner Dan Hawkins appeared to indicate that the latest developments went beyond another round of job cuts.

In a LinkedIn post, Hawkins wrote: “With a very heavy heart I raise my green banner, along with the rest of my colleagues at Build a Rocket Boy. I am ‘Open to Work’ actively looking for a new adventure.”

Hawkins added that he would be “seeing BARB through till the very end” while helping to “wrap things up” within the HR department.

Other employees who announced their departures include level designer Liam Shannon, QA analyst Elizabet Tyaneva, release manager Michaela Emslie and production QA analyst Cameron Deaves.

The reported closure follows a difficult period for Build a Rocket Boy after MindsEye was released to criticism and the studio subsequently announced multiple rounds of job cuts. The company also outlined updates and changes for the game following its launch.

The latest MindsEye update was released on August 12, 2026, adding a new multiplayer race.

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has also responded to the job losses. The union said it offered “solidarity and support to everyone impacted.”

IWGB Games Worker Union vice-chair Ben Newbon said, “We cannot add any further insight into the heartbreaking job losses at BARB, a company that we think has been slowly spiralling for a long time.”