Build a Rocket Boy, the studio behind the game MindsEye, has reportedly conducted its third round of layoffs within the past year, affecting approximately 170 employees. These cuts follow previous job reductions and challenges surrounding the game's launch.
What happened
Build a Rocket Boy (BARB) reportedly dismissed around 170 staff, impacting roles such as technical level design, audio design, and quality assurance. Social media team members confirmed their departures. This marks the third instance of job cuts for the studio in a year.
How many employees affected
Approximately 170 employees were reportedly affected in the latest layoffs, leaving the company with around 80 staff. This follows an earlier round in July 2025, which saw about 300 UK-based employees laid off after MindsEye's launch.
Why layoffs happened
CEO Mark Gerhard attributed the March layoffs to "organized espionage and corporate sabotage" during MindsEye's launch, claiming "certain individuals skewed the perception of the product." An earlier round was linked to the end of BARB's publishing agreement. The company cited the need to downsize to "safeguard its future" after MindsEye faced performance and bug issues.
Company background
Build a Rocket Boy (BARB) is the development studio behind the game MindsEye. The studio has experienced multiple rounds of layoffs, including the reported shutdown of BARB France, which opened in 2022. MindsEye's June 2025 launch received negative feedback, with staff calling it "one of the worst video game launches this decade."
Industry impact
The significant layoffs and troubled launch of MindsEye highlight the volatile nature of the video game development industry. These challenges underscore the intense pressures on studios to deliver high-quality experiences in a competitive market.
What's next
Build a Rocket Boy has initiated a "reset" and "new phase of ongoing development" for MindsEye to revitalize the game. This includes the recent 'Blacklisted' update, a new mission via the 'Arcadia' user-generated content platform, intended to mark a comeback bid.