MindsEye Developer Build a Rocket Boy Faces Legal Action Over Employee Surveillance Software
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Unionised staff at MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy are taking legal action against management over the installation of invasive surveillance software that monitored keystrokes, screens, and audio without consent.
Unionised developers at Build a Rocket Boy are taking legal action against MindsEye studio management, alleging that the installation of workplace monitoring software violated data protection laws and basic worker dignity. According to reports by Game Developer and covered by Rock Paper Shotgun, the IWGB Game Workers Union is representing employees who claim management failed to properly disclose how data was gathered or stored. The software in question, known as Teramind, was reportedly installed on employee devices without their knowledge. Leaked internal meetings revealed that the monitoring tool tracked keystrokes, captured screen activity, and recorded microphone audio from workers in their own homes.
While the software was eventually removed in March after roughly 40 employees filed a collective grievance, the union states that workers still lack clear answers regarding what information was collected and where it currently resides. This new legal filing adds to ongoing tensions at the studio, coming on top of previous legal claims regarding the mishandling of layoffs. Meanwhile, studio leadership including Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies have publicly claimed that the launch of MindsEye was disrupted by external corporate espionage, though these assertions have done little to stabilize the internal working environment or address the growing concerns of their workforce.
For players and the broader community, this situation highlights the widening gap between high-stakes studio management and the wellbeing of the developers building our favorite games. Modern gaming relies entirely on the creativity, health, and trust of cross-platform development teams, whether they are shipping massive console titles or updating live service ecosystems. When studio leadership resorts to invasive tracking and mishandles workforce stability, it damages the entire community ecosystem. We will continue to follow this story as it develops through the legal system.
Tags: Build a Rocket Boy, MindsEye, IWGB Union, Industry News, Game Development
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun