Rocket Boy cuts staff following launch failure.

Build A Rocket Boy has initiated workforce reductions following the troubled launch of MindsEye. According to studio sources speaking to IGN, the layoffs could impact more than 100 employees.

An anonymous employee informed IGN that while the exact number remains unclear, the mandatory UK 45-day consultation period begins today, June 23. This legal requirement activates when companies propose dismissing 100 or more staff within 90 days. The studio reportedly employs approximately 300 UK-based staff and about 200 internationally.

IGN has reached out to Build A Rocket Boy for an official statement.

Staff now face uncertainty while awaiting confirmation about their employment status. Questions also loom regarding the studio's ability to deliver promised post-launch content, including multiplayer functionality, on schedule.

Following last week's acknowledgment of player-reported issues, the development team expressed being "heartbroken" about the game's technical problems. They committed to releasing multiple patches addressing performance bottlenecks, glitches, and AI inconsistencies - with some updates already deployed.

The launch complications led to canceled promotional streams and widespread refund requests, even from typically strict platforms like Sony's PlayStation Network.

While Steam statistics don't represent the full player base, MindsEye peaked at 3,302 concurrent players at launch before plummeting to a 24-hour high of just 130. As of publication, only 52 players remained active, with user reviews predominantly negative.

Originally conceived as part of Everywhere - an ambitious "Roblox for adults" platform helmed by ex-Grand Theft Auto design lead Leslie Benzies - MindsEye later became the primary focus for Edinburgh-based Build A Rocket Boy. The narrative-driven action title has thus far underperformed commercially.

Co-CEO Mark Gerhard assured employees in internal communications that MindsEye remains a priority, though the studio transitions from intensive development to sustainable long-term support. Gerhard previously made headlines by alleging an organized campaign to discredit the game, claims later disputed by IO Interactive's leadership.