Build a Rocket Boy Ends MindsEye Project After Third Staff Cut

Build A Rocket Boy has officially stopped development on its open-world shooter, MindsEye, and moved into a full studio wind-down. This decision marks the third significant reduction in workforce for the Edinburgh-based developer since mid-2025. The move follows a turbulent period for the company, which was founded by former Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies to challenge major industry players with a new action title.

The news emerged in September 2026, confirming what employees and industry observers had long feared. Instead of pivoting or scaling back specific departments, the studio is closing the project entirely. For readers, this signals a significant loss of talent and resources in the UK development scene, adding to a growing list of layoffs that have reshaped the local gaming landscape this year.

Leadership blames external sabotage for failures

CEO Mark Gerhard has publicly attributed the studio’s struggles to what he describes as organized espionage and corporate sabotage. This claim, which he posted on professional social networks, suggests that the game’s troubled launch was not merely a result of poor design or weak sales, but the outcome of deliberate malicious acts. However, these allegations have not been independently verified in court or by regulatory bodies, leaving them as unproven accusations in the public eye.

This narrative complicates the typical story of a failed launch. Usually, developers cite market conditions or internal missteps. By alleging criminal interference, the leadership team shifts the focus away from product quality and toward external threats. Critics and industry analysts point out that without legal evidence, this explanation offers little comfort to displaced workers who are now facing redundancy in a tight job market.

Workers face uncertainty amid union activity

The human cost of these decisions is becoming increasingly visible. Employees have shared redundancy notices on their professional profiles, while the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain has organized a support fund for affected staff. The union estimates that between 250 and 300 workers have lost their jobs since the first round of cuts began in June 2025. This cumulative loss represents a substantial portion of the studio's original team.

For the individuals involved, the situation is not just about lost income but also about professional identity. Many joined the studio specifically to work under Benzies' leadership and contribute to a high-profile debut title. The abrupt end to that project leaves them without a clear path forward, forcing them to seek new roles in a market that is already saturated with experienced developers seeking positions.

A cautionary tale for UK studios

Reporting from GN auto tech/gaming notes that this collapse is notable less for its size and more for its public nature. The transparent, messy unraveling of a high-profile studio offers a stark lesson for the industry. It highlights the risks associated with high expectations and the difficulty of maintaining morale when leadership disputes the root causes of failure. As the UK gaming sector looks toward 2027, this case serves as a reminder of the fragility of even well-funded ventures.

The end of MindsEye is a definitive close to a chapter that promised a new era for independent development. While the studio's future remains unclear, the immediate impact is a reduced workforce and a halted project. For the industry, the takeaway is clear: regardless of pedigree or funding, execution and stability remain the primary determinators of success in a competitive global market.