Inside Build a Rocket Boy's Troubled Launch of 'MindsEye' and Employee Turmoil

Build a Rocket Boy (Barb), the studio launched by ex-Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies following his departure from Rockstar North in 2016, had significant anticipation surrounding its debut title. Benzies, a pivotal figure in GTA's evolution into a global cultural phenomenon, aimed for Barb's initial major endeavor, Everywhere, to be a sprawling multiplayer RPG set in a futuristic open world, enabling players to craft their own narratives. This project was exceedingly ambitious, supported by substantial funding—Barb amassed £233 million by 2024 and employed 448 staff by year-end. However, without a marketable game, a strategic pivot was made to prioritize MindsEye, which originated as an integrated experience within Everywhere.

MindsEye's June release proved catastrophic, quickly followed by extensive layoffs at Barb, the true scope of which is just now becoming clear. A recent scathing open letter, endorsed by 93 former Barb employees, denounced "systemic mistreatment, mismanagement, and mishandling of the redundancy process" by executives Benzies and Mark Gerhard. Critics, including former Barb employee Jamie, indicated a lack of clear vision for the game from Benzies, leading to project-wide incoherence from its inception. Ben Newbon, a former lead data analyst, observed constant erratic decisions from upper management, with crucial feedback often overlooked. Benzies's micro-management style, characterized by his "Leslie tickets" or "Leslie bugs," meant his directives, regardless of their significance, took immediate precedence, disrupting other ongoing tasks.

The tumultuous period leading up to MindsEye's release involved extensive unpaid overtime for most staff, under the promise of compensatory time off post-launch. This intense crunch, however, resulted in an accumulation of errors and frequent instances where one team's progress was undone by another's. Morale plummeted, leading to increased arguments and a sense of futility among employees. Isaac Hudd, a former audio programmer, recalled the immediate and grim reality post-launch, as disastrous reviews confirmed the game's failure. In a July all-staff meeting, Benzies controversially attributed the negative reception to internal "saboteurs," a claim that astonished staff who understood the deep-seated issues behind MindsEye's poor performance.

The gaming industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with a growing emphasis on ethical practices and worker rights. The unfortunate circumstances at Build a Rocket Boy, culminating in mass redundancies and impending legal action from the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union, serve as a stark reminder that even highly anticipated projects, led by industry veterans, are not immune to critical failures when fundamental principles of leadership, communication, and respect for employees are neglected. This situation underscores the critical need for transparency, fair treatment, and responsible management in game development, pushing the industry towards a future where employee well-being and a cohesive creative vision are paramount for success and innovation.