The Leslie Benzies-led development studio, Build a Rocket Boy, seems to have laid off all remaining employees. Multiple developers have come forward saying they were laid off, with some adding that they believe pretty much everyone at the company has been laid off. This would effectively mean Build a Rocket Boy is no more after releasing only one title, MindsEye.
For Benzies, MindsEye was to be the start of their "Roblox for adults" creation platform, Everywhere. After the monumental failure of that disaster of a game, several rounds of layoffs hit Build a Rocket Boy as the remaining members scrambled to apply a shine to a fetid turd.
At its peak, Build a Rocket Boy employed over 500 developers. The layoffs at the studio began after MindsEye released in June 2025. Reviews of the launch version of the game noted how "buggy" and "boring" the game was, with at least one reviewer stating that the game "just fucking sucks."
Build a Rocket Boy's leadership, Leslie Benzies and Mark Gerhard, claimed that the game's development suffered from both internal and external "saboteurs." Claims that the studio was investigating "criminal activity" were thrown around a lot by leadership, but of course nothing actually ever came of that.
After IOI Partners decided they wanted nothing more to do with that train wreck, Build a Rocket Boy released the "Blacklisted" update for MindsEye. This update was to serve two purposes: 1. It would serve as a soft relaunch of MindsEye. 2. It would include "evidence" of some of that alleged sabotage. The update failed to accomplish either goal.
Though Build a Rocket Boy still exists in name, it seems like it will limp along without any staff. Those who were laid off this week, including artist Adam Ridsdale and principal talent acquisition partner Dan Nawkins, shared messages on social media suggesting everyone has been laid off.
Unfortunately, along with the rest of my colleagues at Build a Rocket Boy, I am facing redundancy and now looking for a new opportunity.
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.
Along with everybody else left at Barb my role is being made redundant.
