The ambitious, yet troubled, action game MindsEye faces another setback as Build A Rocket Boy (BARB) and IO Interactive have officially ended their publishing collaboration. The split, announced Tuesday, March 17, 2026, also means the cancellation of a highly anticipated crossover event with the popular Hitman franchise. This marks a significant shift for both studios, particularly for IO Interactive, which had ventured into publishing with MindsEye as its first project.
According to a joint press release, Build A Rocket Boy will now assume full publishing responsibilities for MindsEye, aiming to ensure continuity for the game’s community and its partners. The two companies are working together to facilitate a smooth transition over the coming weeks. The planned Hitman mission, initially revealed in June 2025, was intended to be a major event within MindsEye, but will no longer move forward. BARB stated they intend to pursue future partnerships on other projects.
A Troubled Development Cycle
The partnership between BARB and IO Interactive, announced in 2023, was initially met with excitement, promising a unique blend of open-world gameplay and cinematic action. However, the launch of MindsEye in late 2024 was widely criticized for its technical issues and lack of polish. Reports quickly surfaced detailing a buggy experience that failed to live up to pre-release expectations. The game’s reception was so poor that it drew comparisons to other critically panned releases like Sony’s Concord, which also suffered from a troubled launch and ultimately failed to gain traction.
The rocky launch quickly led to internal turmoil at Build A Rocket Boy. Multiple rounds of layoffs impacted the development team as the studio struggled to address the game’s problems. The situation was further complicated by accusations leveled against co-bosses Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies, with former staff alleging micromanagement, excessive crunch and mishandling of redundancies. According to reports from Rock Paper Shotgun, around 300 staff members were affected by layoffs in 2025.
Allegations of Espionage and Monitoring
The situation surrounding MindsEye took an even more unusual turn when Build A Rocket Boy executives claimed the game was the target of “organised espionage and corporate sabotage” by an unnamed third party. These claims were accompanied by reports that the studio had installed monitoring software on employees’ computers without their knowledge, ostensibly to identify potential spies or saboteurs. These allegations, while unconfirmed, added another layer of complexity to the already fraught development process.
The initial publishing deal with IO Interactive represented a significant step for the Hitman developer, marking its foray into the world of game publishing. IO Interactive had previously focused solely on developing its own titles, most notably the critically acclaimed Hitman series. The partnership with BARB was intended to expand IO Interactive’s business model and provide support for promising independent projects. However, the difficulties surrounding MindsEye appear to have soured the experience, leading to the dissolution of the publishing agreement.
Impact on the Gaming Landscape
The cancellation of the Hitman crossover is a disappointment for fans of both franchises who were eager to observe Agent 47 interact with the world of MindsEye. The crossover was announced with a teaser trailer that generated considerable buzz, but now those plans have been scrapped. The failure of the BARB-IO Interactive partnership also raises questions about the risks involved in publishing unproven titles. While IO Interactive has a strong track record as a developer, its experience as a publisher is limited, and the MindsEye debacle may make the company more cautious about future publishing ventures.
The broader implications of this situation extend beyond the two companies involved. The game industry is currently undergoing a period of consolidation, with larger publishers acquiring smaller studios at an increasing rate. The MindsEye case serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of integrating different development cultures and managing complex projects. It also highlights the importance of quality control and the potential consequences of releasing a buggy or unfinished game.
The Future of Build A Rocket Boy and MindsEye
With IO Interactive out of the picture, Build A Rocket Boy is now solely responsible for the future of MindsEye. The studio has stated its commitment to continuing development and supporting the game’s community. However, the path forward remains uncertain. The game will require significant updates and improvements to address the criticisms leveled against it. Whether BARB can successfully rehabilitate MindsEye remains to be seen. The studio has indicated plans to seek out novel publishing partners for future projects, but the recent experience may make it more difficult to attract investment.
Leslie Benzies, a co-founder of Build A Rocket Boy and a former Rockstar Games producer, has been a central figure in the development of MindsEye. His previous work on the Grand Theft Auto series earned him critical acclaim, but his leadership at BARB has been marred by controversy. The allegations of micromanagement and poor treatment of staff have damaged his reputation and raised questions about his management style. The success or failure of MindsEye will likely have a significant impact on Benzies’s future career.
The gaming industry is a notoriously competitive landscape, and the failure of a high-profile project like MindsEye can have far-reaching consequences. The cancellation of the Hitman crossover is a loss for fans of both franchises, but it also represents a missed opportunity for IO Interactive to expand its reach and diversify its business model. The situation serves as a reminder that even the most ambitious projects can falter if they are not executed effectively.
Build A Rocket Boy’s decision to take sole publishing responsibility for MindsEye is a bold move, but it also carries significant risks. The studio will need to demonstrate a clear plan for addressing the game’s issues and rebuilding trust with its community. The coming months will be crucial for determining the future of MindsEye and the long-term viability of Build A Rocket Boy.
The next step for Build A Rocket Boy will be to release a detailed roadmap outlining its plans for MindsEye. Gamers and industry observers will be closely watching to see whether the studio can turn the game around and deliver on its initial promise. The company has not yet announced a specific date for the release of this roadmap, but This proves expected in the coming weeks.
What are your thoughts on the split between IO Interactive and Build A Rocket Boy? Do you think MindsEye can be salvaged? Share your opinions in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with your friends and colleagues.