Mindseye's Director Promises a Relaunch Amidst Layoff Rumors – But Can They Pull It Off?
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Build A Rocket Boy, developers of *MindsEye*, are reportedly planning a relaunch amidst potential layoffs and accusations of sabotage, leaving many to wonder if they can actually pull off a comeback. It's a right proper mess, innit?
Right, so things are looking... spicier than a dragon's breath over at Build A Rocket Boy (BARB), the studio behind *MindsEye*. According to a report over at Rock Paper Shotgun, the studio's director, Leslie Benzies (yep, the ex-Rockstar president), reckons they're gonna *relaunch* the game. I know, I know, stick with me, because the plot thickens faster than a goblin stew.
Here's the kicker: this grand relaunch promise comes at the same time as reports of potential layoffs affecting around 300 UK-based staff. Ouch. Emails apparently went out informing them that their jobs are at risk. That's a bloody huge number of people, mate! It's like promising to rebuild a castle while simultaneously firing all the stonemasons.
And it gets better (or worse, depending on your perspective). Benzies apparently addressed the staff (via video call, mind you) and, according to IGN (as cited by Rock Paper Shotgun), blamed *internal and external saboteurs* for the game's rocky launch. Saboteurs, eh? Sounds like something straight out of a fantasy novel! Now, I'm no Sherlock Holmes, but pointing fingers while your team is potentially facing redundancy... well, that's a bold move, Cotton.
This ain't the first time BARB's top brass have hinted at shadowy forces undermining their efforts. Earlier this year, co-CEO Mark Gerhard copped flak for claiming that some people were actively trying to sabotage Leslie and Build A Rocket Boy's success. It's giving major Scooby-Doo villain vibes. Like, is it Old Man Withers from the abandoned amusement park?
Let's be real, *MindsEye* hasn't exactly had a smooth ride since launch. The team's been scrambling to fix issues with rapid updates – the kind of updates that the very staff facing potential layoffs have been busting their humps to deliver. So, promising a relaunch while suggesting there are saboteurs and potentially letting go of a chunk of your workforce? Colour me skeptical.
This also isn't the first round of job cuts at BARB this year, either. There were layoffs in February as well, though the number of affected staff wasn't disclosed. So, you're telling me they're planning a *Cyberpunk 2077*-esque comeback story…but without, you know, the *team* that would need to pull off that miracle? How does that even work?
Look, I'm all for underdog stories and triumphant returns. But this situation smells fishier than a goblin market. A relaunch requires resources, manpower, and a clear vision. Right now, BARB seems to be juggling layoffs, accusations of sabotage, and a whole heap of uncertainty. I reckon they've got a mountain to climb. Whether they can reach the summit… well, that remains to be seen. I'll be watching with cautiously crossed fingers (and a healthy dose of skepticism).
Tags: MindsEye, Build A Rocket Boy, Leslie Benzies, Layoffs, Game Development
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun