Build a Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, is facing significant challenges as reports unfold about the potential layoffs of numerous employees. The Edinburgh-based developer has initiated a 45-day consultation process, signaling possible redundancies among its workforce.
According to a recent report from IGN, company sources reveal that the studio is adhering to UK labor laws, which necessitate specific consultation periods based on the number of employees being laid off. If the layoffs impact between 20 and 99 staff, a minimum 30-day consultation is required. For 100 or more redundancies, like the ones impending at Build a Rocket Boy, a 45-day period is mandated, indicating that at least 100 of its estimated 300 UK employees may be affected.
Since the launch of MindsEye on June 10, the game has faced intense scrutiny. Players have flooded social media with videos highlighting its technical glitches, prompting Sony to issue refunds, a rare move reminiscent of the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077. In a public apology earlier this month, the studio expressed that it was “heartbroken†and committed to improving player experience.
The game’s current Metacritic score is a dismal 38 for the PC version and an even lower 28 for the PS5, making it one of the lowest-rated games of the year. On Steam, user ratings reflect a similarly grim outlook, with just 37% of the 1,833 submitted reviews deemed positive. This negative feedback underscores the rocky reception the game has encountered since launch.
Developer Whiting candidly addressed the studio’s challenges, emphasizing that a game of this scale demands a vast array of talent across various roles. “A game of this kind of quality and scale needs a lot of artists, needs a lot of coders, needs a lot of everything, right? Needs a lot of love,†he said, highlighting the effort that goes into game development.
The recent developments come as a stark reminder of the dynamic and often ruthless nature of the gaming industry. Layoffs may not only impact the studio’s current projects but could also send ripples through the broader gaming community, affecting upcoming releases and player expectations.