A new investigative report by BBC News has uncovered severe internal turmoil at Build a Rocket Boy, the studio founded by former Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies. The company, based in Edinburgh, has reportedly laid off around 200 to 250 employees this month following the disastrous release of its debut game, MindsEye.
According to the report, staff described the months leading up to the launch as marked by relentless crunch periods, unpaid overtime, and erratic leadership. Several former developers said Benzies personally intervened in even the smallest design details through so-called “Leslie tickets,” which were instructions that had to be addressed immediately, regardless of priority. Employees claimed this level of micromanagement created instability and confusion across development teams.
Morale worsened when Benzies allegedly accused staff of “sabotage” during a company video call after MindsEye’s poor reception. He reportedly vowed to “root out” those responsible, a claim that stunned employees who believed the game’s problems were due to mismanagement, not internal plotting. Workers also reported being dismissed or mocked when raising concerns about the studio’s direction.
The BBC report highlights that many employees endured unpaid overtime between February and May, with some departments working under intense pressure to meet deadlines. Several ex-staff members told the outlet that this led to burnout, repeated technical errors, and a growing sense of hopelessness as MindsEye approached launch.
After the game’s release in June 2025, which was met with widespread criticism and technical failures, the company swiftly began issuing patches while preparing for mass layoffs. The Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union has since announced plans for legal action, accusing Build a Rocket Boy of mishandling redundancies and ignoring employee feedback.
In a statement to the BBC, the studio said it was “deeply saddened” by the layoffs but insisted it had followed proper procedures. It acknowledged responsibility for MindsEye’s failed debut, promising continued updates and improvements.
Despite more than £230 million in investment and years of development, MindsEye’s failure has left Build a Rocket Boy’s future uncertain. Once viewed as one of the UK’s most promising independent studios, the company now faces serious doubts about its stability, leadership, and ability to recover from one of the most high-profile gaming misfires in recent memory.
