MindsEye Developers Plan Protest Over “All-Expenses-Paid” Playtest Weekend

Build A Rocket Boy is reportedly bringing fans to its studio for an all-expenses-paid “playtest” weekend to sample upcoming MindsEye content—an approach some of the studio’s own developers say is tone-deaf given recent layoffs and ongoing labor tensions. The event is set for this Saturday at the Build A Rocket Boy offices in Edinburgh, Scotland, and employees are preparing to protest rather than welcome the visitors.

MindsEye Devs Will Protest Outside Their Office This Weekend, As Fans Are Flown Over To Play New Content

The protest has been confirmed by the British trade union IWGB, which represents workers at Build A Rocket Boy. In a statement, the union said that employees will stage a picket outside the company’s all-expenses-paid playtest day, where fans flown in by the studio will get hands-on time with new features tied to the latest release, MindsEye.

The union added that the IWGB Game Workers Union, along with supporters from other unions and members of the public, will take part in the demonstration. Their message is directed at the studio’s decision to pay for the event after mass layoffs carried out over the past year.

Build A Rocket Boy’s latest round of cuts arrived this May, marking its third wave of layoffs. Those layoffs followed earlier reductions in 2025, and the staffing turmoil comes amid a difficult period for the game itself. MindsEye launched to a notably poor reception, landing among the worst-reviewed titles of the year.

On top of the reception issues, the studio’s co-CEO Mark Gerhard reportedly continued to draw negative attention, including accusations that unfavorable reviews were paid for. He also repeatedly suggested that the game’s performance was affected by ominous “sabotage.” Throughout this period, workers at the company have continued to speak out against management decisions.

Even so, the company appears determined to keep MindsEye moving forward. The presence of a preview event for future content is described as surprising, especially given how unexpected it would be for the project to receive more development momentum at all. Build A Rocket Boy may also be handling the plans internally: it has reportedly broken off from its publishing agreement with IOI Interactive. That change is said to have cost the studio a planned crossover between MindsEye and Hitman.

Build A Rocket Boy has been contacted for comment.