A Troubled Launch and a Renewed Pledge: Build a Rocket Boy Releases Major Update Amid Layoffs

In a move that highlights the ongoing turmoil and a surprising show of commitment, Build a Rocket Boy has released “MindsEye Update 4,” a massive patch aimed at fixing the disastrous launch of its debut game. The update arrives just months after the studio, founded by former Rockstar veteran Leslie Benzies, confirmed a painful layoff process that has impacted a significant portion of its staff. Despite this organizational upheaval, the company has released a statement insisting it remains “committed” to enhancing the gameplay experience and fixing a game that many critics and players have written off as a lost cause. This is a story of a studio attempting to rebuild trust and prove its staying power in the face of immense adversity.

The Long Road to Recovery

The launch of MindsEye in June 2025 was, by all accounts, a catastrophic failure. The game was plagued with a multitude of performance issues, from memory leaks and frequent crashes to a litany of bugs and glitches. The game’s narrative and gameplay were also heavily criticized, leading to a “Mostly Negative” user rating on Steam and widespread refunds. In the aftermath of this critical and commercial disappointment, the company began a formal redundancy process that was reported to impact over 100 employees, nearly half of its UK-based staff. This was a brutal blow to a studio that was once considered a rising star in the industry, founded by one of the key figures behind the success of the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

However, instead of abandoning the project, Build a Rocket Boy has decided to double down on it. The release of Update 4 is a clear sign that the company is attempting to make good on its initial promises to the community. The patch notes, which were widely shared on social media, are a laundry list of fixes and quality-of-life improvements. The update focuses on a number of key areas:

• Performance Optimization: The patch introduces significant improvements to CPU and GPU performance, with the removal of “ambient rubbish” and other optimizations to help the game run more smoothly.
• UI and UX: A number of user interface and experience issues have been resolved, including the long-requested ability to skip cinematics.
• PC-Specific Enhancements: The game’s “Build.MindsEye” user-generated content toolset has been significantly enhanced, with new features that make it easier for players to create and share content.

In a statement accompanying the update, Build a Rocket Boy acknowledged the challenges it has faced but maintained its resolve. “We remain committed to refining MindsEye and enhancing the gameplay experience,” the studio said. They also teased “major” improvements to combat and enemy AI for Update 5, which is already in the works.

A Battle for Trust and Legacy

This is a major test for a company that has seen its reputation take a significant hit. The decision to lay off staff and then release a major update is a difficult one to justify, and it has been met with mixed reactions from the community. On one hand, players are relieved to see that the game is still being supported, and that the developers are making an honest effort to fix it. On the other hand, there is a sense of cynicism that the company would cut so many employees and then, in the same breath, promise a better future for the game. For many, it’s a cold, calculated move to appease the remaining player base and save face.

The situation at Build a Rocket Boy is a powerful microcosm of the current state of the gaming industry. It’s a world of rapid-fire development, immense financial pressure, and a constant, often bruising, battle for a player’s attention. In this climate, a disastrous launch can be a death sentence. By continuing to work on the game, Build a Rocket Boy is betting that it can salvage a project that was, from the very beginning, a massive financial and creative risk. It’s a bold move, but whether it’s enough to win back a disillusioned community and save a once-promising studio remains to be seen. The future of MindsEye, and the company itself, now hangs in the balance, a testament to the fact that in the world of gaming, nothing is a sure thing.