Current and former MindsEye developers have released an open letter condemning the leadership of Build A Rocket Boy, citing issues of mismanagement and other significant blunders. This action contributes to a series of controversies surrounding MindsEye’s launch.

Allegations in the Open Letter

In a letter published by the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union, nearly 100 employees have united to accuse the company of mishandled layoffs and critical errors in the lead-up to the game’s poorly received release in June 2025. The letter claims that employees experienced mandatory crunch time lasting four months prior to launch, with required overtime of eight hours per week that was compensated by time off instead of extra pay. Many staff members have reported having difficulty taking this time off due to continued high-priority work requests.

Handling of Layoffs

The IWGB states that the layoffs themselves were marked by misinformation and administrative mistakes, causing significant anxiety amongst employees. The letter demands a public apology, fair compensation for those laid off, and clarity on improving internal processes, including acknowledgment of the IWGB as a recognized trade union.

Demands from the IWGB

The letter outlines specific demands:

1. A public apology for the mistreatment of employees and fair compensation for those laid off.
2. Provision for remaining employees on redundancy notice to choose between working their notice period or receiving payment in lieu.
3. A concerted effort to enhance internal processes and conditions, including recognizing the IWGB union.
4. Commitments to use official partners for any future layoffs to ensure fair treatment.

Despite the strong criticisms, the letter refrains from making any legal threats against Build A Rocket Boy or addressing its publisher, IO Interactive. The document places all blame for the troubled launch on the studio’s management while discussing the potential relaunch of the game, though details remain scant.