Things are not getting any easier for Build A Rocket Boy.
The studio behind the troubled action game MindsEye has confirmed another round of layoffs, continuing what has been a rough stretch for the company since the game’s launch last year. While the exact number of affected employees hasn’t been disclosed, leadership says the cuts are part of an effort to stabilize the studio after the game’s disappointing reception.
But what really makes this story unusual is the explanation coming from the studio itself.
The Studio Says Sabotage Played a Role
In a statement shared on LinkedIn, CEO Mark Gerhard claimed that the launch of MindsEye was impacted by what he describes as organized espionage and corporate sabotage. According to him, the studio has been working with legal advisors and external partners to investigate what they believe was criminal activity surrounding the game’s release.
Gerhard says the investigation has uncovered what he calls “overwhelming evidence” that outside forces intentionally worked to damage the game’s reputation during its launch window. The studio reportedly plans to pursue legal action, although details about the alleged sabotage haven’t been publicly shared yet.
Naturally, claims like that have raised a lot of eyebrows.
MindsEye’s Launch Was Already Rough
Even without conspiracy theories in the mix, MindsEye had a difficult launch.
The game received extremely negative reviews from critics and players, largely due to technical problems, bugs, and overall gameplay issues. Its reception was so poor that it quickly became one of the worst-rated games of 2025, with very low review scores and declining player numbers shortly after release.
Because of that, many people in the industry believe the game’s struggles had more to do with development issues than outside interference.
Skepticism Inside and Outside the Studio
Not everyone is convinced by the sabotage claims.
Some former employees and industry observers have openly questioned the narrative, arguing that the problems surrounding MindsEye were the result of management decisions and production challenges rather than a coordinated attack from outside forces.
That disagreement has only added more controversy to an already messy situation.
A Tough Time for the Studio
Regardless of what actually happened behind the scenes, the biggest impact is being felt by the developers who are losing their jobs.
Leadership at Build A Rocket Boy described the layoffs as a painful but necessary decision meant to ensure the studio’s long-term survival. The company has also said it plans to help affected employees find new opportunities elsewhere in the industry.
For now, the future of the studio remains uncertain.
And until more details emerge about this alleged sabotage, the situation around MindsEye and Build A Rocket Boy will likely remain one of the strangest stories in gaming this year.
