Ex-Rockstar boss’ studio reportedly shutting down after MindsEye struggles

Build a Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, founded by former Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies, is reportedly shutting down following another round of layoffs.

Multiple employees have announced that their time at the company is coming to an end, while Kotaku reports that sources familiar with the situation have claimed the studio is permanently closing its doors.

The news comes after a turbulent period for Build a Rocket Boy following the release of MindsEye, which was met with widespread criticism and followed by multiple rounds of job cuts.

Several employees, including level designer Liam Shannon, QA analyst Elizabet Tyaneva, release manager Michaela Emslie, and production QA analyst Cameron Deaves, revealed on LinkedIn that they were leaving the company.

However, a post from principal talent acquisition partner Dan Hawkins suggested the situation went beyond another round of layoffs.

Build a Rocket Boy employees say studio is winding down

“With a very heavy heart I raise my green banner, along with the rest of my colleagues at Build a Rocket Boy. I am ‘Open to Work’ actively looking for a new adventure,” Hawkins wrote.

He added that he would be “seeing BARB through till the very end” while helping to “wrap things up” within the HR department.

Sources familiar with the situation subsequently told Kotaku that Build a Rocket Boy was permanently shutting down, although the studio hasn't yet publicly confirmed the closure.

The latest update for Mindseye was released on August 12, 2026, with a new multiplayer race.

https://twitter.com/MindsEyeGame/status/2087567933383889333

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) also issued a statement, saying it offered “solidarity and support to everyone impacted.”

“We cannot add any further insight into the heartbreaking job losses at BARB, a company that we think has been slowly spiralling for a long time,” IWGB Games Worker Union vice-chair Ben Newbon said.

The union added that it remained committed to pursuing action over what it described as Build a Rocket Boy management’s treatment of workers.

https://twitter.com/Dexerto/status/1927368633715462362

MindsEye launched with some anticipation due in part to Build a Rocket Boy founder Leslie Benzies’ history as a former Rockstar North president and producer on multiple Grand Theft Auto games.

However, the game was heavily criticized after release, with Build a Rocket Boy subsequently announcing updates and changes as it attempted to salvage it.