A recent report states that Mark Gerhard, co-CEO of Build A Rocket Boy, has potentially pinpointed individuals involved in a concerted effort aimed at undermining the studio’s reputation along with its inaugural game, MindsEye. Released in June 2025 on platforms like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the game has faced intense scrutiny and adverse reviews.

With an experienced team that includes a former Grand Theft Auto producer, expectations were high for MindsEye. However, the game’s reception was disappointing, leading it to rank as one of the worst-reviewed titles of 2025. Issues such as technical glitches and subpar optimization contributed to this backlash, prompting a rare decision by PlayStation to issue full refunds for the game, marking a stark reminder of the infamous release of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020.

Gerhard claims that before the game’s launch, there was a €1 million smear campaign orchestrated by a substantial American firm in collaboration with a UK-based entity named Ritual Network. He stated that this group hired influencers, journalists, and even some of their employees to maintain a negative narrative about Build A Rocket Boy and MindsEye. In a dramatic internal meeting, he reportedly described how he plans to take the lead on the narrative and potentially incorporate the story into a new MindsEye-related spy theme.

Further claims from the CEO indicated that all individuals implicated would face charges regarding espionage, sabotage, and interference. Additionally, a new cybersecurity system was covertly installed on employees’ computers, an action Gerhard took responsibility for, while acknowledging the urgency of the next 90 days for the studio. As of the latest MindsEye update, players have shown a more favorable response with recent reviews being significantly positive.