Almost 100 current and former employees of Build a Rocket Boy (BARB) have filed legal claims against the studio. They also released an open letter accusing the studio of serious labor violations.
This all ties back to MindsEye. The game launched in June 2025 and was a massive failure. Now it could lead into an investigation into whether BARB violated the UK’s labor laws.
Allegations of Mismanagement
The open letter, backed by the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB), accuses Build a Rocket Boy of mishandling layoffs and enforcing excessive overtime
According to the letter, employees were forced to work an additional eight hours per week for four months before launch. BARB was supposed to provide time off in exchange for working overtime. Yet the employees claim they couldn’t claim that extra time due to the studio forcing them to work on “high-priority” projects.
Some say they were given conflicting information about their dismissals or placed on the wrong teams for performance reviews. Some were even told they were fired without proper notice. Others describe a culture where communication from leadership was inconsistent.
The Legal Fight Ahead
Under UK employment law, employers proposing large-scale redundancies must follow strict consultation and notice procedures. Build a Rocket Boy’s layoffs, estimated at more than 250 within weeks, could fall under those requirements.
Failing to conduct proper consultations or providing inaccurate information can result in claims of unfair dismissal. This would force Build a Rocket Boy to compensate affected employees.
The IWGB and signatories are demanding a public apology and fair compensation for laid-off staff. They also want the studio to make changes to ensure transparency, in addition to union recognition. They’ve also called for independent oversight in any future redundancy process. A move that underscores the lack of faith employees have in the studio’s leadership.
Leadership Without Accountability
Leslie Benzies’ greatest mistake wasn’t ambition. It was his pride. He had a vision for his company but lacked the leadership skills to bring it to life. Instead he let all the hype the media was crafting around MindsEye get to his head. He was so focused on getting one over Rockstar, he forgot what’s needed to make a great game.
Benzies dreamed of reinventing open-world storytelling. Now he’s a case study in how one man’s ambition can corrupt everything it touches.
A Warning to the Industry
What’s happening at Build a Rocket Boy isn’t an isolated event. It’s a mirror held up to the gaming industry. One that has treated overwork, instability, or vague promises as the cost of innovation.
Now workers are pushing back by learning about their rights. Unionization efforts are gaining traction. The tolerance for “crunch culture” is slowly evaporating.
Even the biggest dreamers can’t outrun accountability. Studios built on hype or charisma must learn to operate within systems that protect their people. If they don’t, they’ll be defined by how they break.
Build a Rocket Boy promised a revolution in gaming. Instead, it reminded everyone of how badly the industry treats its talent.
