Protests at Build a Rocket Boy: employees revolt against fan event
Intelligence Summary
- Build a Rocket Boy employees protest a fan event amid mass layoffs and allegations of sabotage.
In brief
- On July 11, 2026, Build a Rocket Boy employees are protesting a fan event they считают inappropriate.
- The event gives fans a chance to play a new version of MindsEye, while staff are concerned about more than 270 layoffs since May 2025.
- The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) is backing the protests, underlining how serious the situation has become.
Tensions are high at Build a Rocket Boy, the developer behind MindsEye. On July 11, 2026, employees are staging a protest outside the company’s Edinburgh offices. The demonstration comes as the studio faces major layoffs, including more than 170 staff who lost their jobs in May 2025 after the launch of a new campaign. The IWGB is supporting the protest, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
The fan event, which is being promoted as a chance for fans to try a new version of MindsEye, is being seen by employees as inappropriate. They point out that the company had already laid off more than 100 workers earlier this year. Frustration among staff has also been fueled by allegations of “organized spying and corporate sabotage” from studio founders Leslie Benzies and Mark Gerhard, who claim these factors affected the game’s development.
GAME-scanner analysis
The protests are a clear sign of unrest within Build a Rocket Boy’s team. The fact that employees are joining forces with a union shows they are not only trying to make their voices heard, but also demanding change in how the company treats its staff. The combination of layoffs and a fan event seen as inappropriate could further damage the studio’s reputation. It may also affect MindsEye’s development, as team morale is under pressure. The IWGB’s involvement suggests this is no longer just an internal issue, but part of a wider debate about workers’ rights in the games industry.
What does this mean for players?
For players, this situation could mean that MindsEye’s development may be delayed. If staff unrest continues, it could also affect the quality of the game. In addition, public perception of the studio may shift, which could impact sales and community engagement. Players hoping for an improved MindsEye experience may need to prepare for a longer wait and an uncertain future for the game.
Timeline
July 11, 2026: Employees protest outside Build a Rocket Boy’s offices.
May 2025: 170 employees are laid off after the launch of a new campaign.
July 2025: More than 100 employees are laid off, fueling growing unrest.