MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy has been picketed over its recent layoffs and cost-cutting measures in the middle of running an allegedly ‘extravagant’ playtest fan event.
As reported by People Make Games’ Chris Bratt, protests were held by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain outside the company’s headquarters in Leith, Scotland. Attendees criticised the studio’s decision to go ahead with the ‘all-expenses paid playtest event’ despite its recent layoffs, which are believed to have impacted between 250 to 300 employees.
IWGB chair Spring McParlin-Jones told Bratt the event was ‘a waste of money’ and ‘a kick in the teeth for the fired workers who are seeing fans brought in to do jobs that would otherwise have been theirs’.
Build a Rocket Boy protests – quick links
What to know about the Build a Rocket Boy protests
As reported by Bratt, it appears the tension within Build a Rocket Boy is building, as former workers criticise the company’s recent moves. Holding a fan playtest – allegedly including work that would normally be the task of employees – appears to be a last straw.
Build a Rocket Boy has been dealing with other criticism in recent months too, since the launch of its debut game, MindsEye. After years of anticipation and promises to players, it arrived to poor critical reviews (a Metacritic score of 39 on PC) and was reportedly a financial failure.
In the wake of this, CEO Mark Gerhard alleged something deeper was going on, and claimed that Build a Rocket Boy had been the target of criminal activity and sabotage.
Due to the financial failure of the game, the studio underwent a round of layoffs in March, with Gerhard calling it a ‘deeply painful decision’ while doubling down on his claims of wrongdoing.
‘As leaders we take responsibility for the outcomes of our projects and the decisions that follow,’ he said at the time. ‘At the same time, the launch period was affected by factors beyond normal operational challenges and a competitive environment.’
Gerhard further revealed that the studio was working with ‘external partners and legal advisors’ to investigate alleged criminal activity that took place around the launch of the game, resulting in ‘overwhelming evidence of organised espionage and corporate sabotage’.
During the recent protest outside the studio, one former employee refuted this stance, and asked for studio management to take responsibility, rather than blame others.
Former employee speaks out
As reported by Bratt, former employee Isaac Hudd spoke at the protest to rally former employees.
‘A little over a year ago after the most brutal crunch, Build a Rocket Boy released MindsEye to the world,’ Hudd said. ‘As many in the lower levels of the company predicted, it crashed and burned, resulting in Metacritic’s worst game of 2025.’
‘Instead of taking responsibility, instead of reassuring or commiserating with the people who made their game, the Co-CEOs of this company went silent. On their eventual return, they announced layoffs. What followed was three months of lies, veiled threats and ultimately the callous removal of at least 250 employees. But they didn’t stop there.’
Hudd further criticised the release of a new MindsEye DLC mission, the studio’s lean into alleged conspiracy theories, and its alleged distrust of employees. He also directly criticised the decision to fly in fans for a major event.
‘It would be a nice gesture in most companies, but after the lies, the fear, the stress and ignoring damned near every attempt to make things right from their ex-employees, it’s nothing more than a kick in the teeth to those they’ve abandoned,’ he alleged.
‘We, alongside the IWGB, are fighting to show … that mistreatment will get you nowhere, and it is time for a new world. One of worker solidarity.’
The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain has pledged to continue supporting workers as they fight for a better future.
