Another Group of MindsEye Authors Has Been Laid Off

The game development studio Build a Rocket Boy has undergone a significant workforce reduction, marking a sharp decline in its operational scale. Recent reports indicate that approximately 170 employees were laid off in early May 2026, leaving the studio with a remaining staff of roughly 80 people. This reduction aligns with previously stated management goals to downsize the organization to approximately 100 employees following the commercial failure of its project, MindsEye.

The current staffing level represents a dramatic contraction from the studio’s peak, when it employed over 800 individuals. This transition reflects a broader trend of instability within the company, which has faced multiple rounds of layoffs as it attempts to pivot its business model toward self-publishing. The recent personnel cuts follow a period of internal friction, including a lawsuit filed by employees against management regarding allegations of workplace surveillance and privacy violations.

While the studio has not provided official confirmation of the specific layoff figures, the current headcount is consistent with the strategic downsizing objectives outlined by leadership earlier in 2026. Given the ongoing volatility and the significant reduction in personnel, the long-term viability and future staffing trajectory of the studio remain uncertain.