MindsEye Developers Call Out Former GTA Producer Over 2025’s Major AAA Game Fiasco

Over 250 developers at Build A Rocket Boy, the maker of MindsEye, faced layoffs this year after a rocky launch. Many current and former employees, 90 of whom signed an open letter, criticized the studio’s management, including founder Leslie Benzies, for creating a poor work environment and mishandling the layoff process. Ex-employee Ben Newbon expressed frustration about how leadership believed they could act without accountability.

When MindsEye debuted in June, it received backlash from players and reviewers. Initially marketed as part of an ambitious user-generated metaverse project called Everything, the reality was far from promising. The studio’s chaotic layoffs followed closely after the troubled launch, with reports indicating that around 250 developers were affected. Many employees had reportedly endured mandatory overtime leading to these layoffs.

On October 10, the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) announced that members of their Game Workers Branch are pursuing legal action against the studio due to unfair dismissal and a lack of proper consultation before layoffs. The open letter from employees pointed to systemic mistreatment and management failures.

Concerns raised in the letter include bad communication, excessive work hours, and mishandled layoffs. Employees are calling for a public apology and better working conditions. Isaac Hudd, an audio engineer at MindsEye, said many dedicated developers felt undervalued, and management’s decisions led to a disappointing launch.

Despite talk of sabotage from Benzies and others after the launch, many see the studio’s internal issues as the real problem. Former staff highlighted that the crunch period before the launch resulted in mental and physical health challenges, far more severe than typical burnout.

This situation sheds light on a larger issue in the gaming industry: the treatment of developers. With over 50% of game developers reporting high-stress levels in recent surveys, the need for better workplace practices is clear.

As gaming evolves, studios need to prioritize the well-being of their employees. Ignoring these issues can lead to disgruntled teams, failed projects, and a damaged reputation that’s hard to recover from.



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Build A Rocket Boy,Crunch,Leslie Benzies,MindsEye