Mindseye developers protest over alleged ‘playtest’ scheme at barb
Former MindsEye developers are staging a protest this Saturday outside BARB’s Edinburgh office, alleging the studio orchestrated an ‘all-expenses-paid’ playtest day as a thinly veiled attempt to circumvent layoffs and ongoing disputes.
A bitter harvest: layoffs fuel worker fury
The IWGB Game Workers Union, representing those fired from the GTA 6 project, is leading the charge, citing a pattern of alleged intimidation and a troubling disregard for worker rights at BARB. This isn’t about a single game; it’s about a systemic issue of prioritizing profit over people.
The ‘playtest’ gambit
According to the union, BARB is reportedly flying in fans to test new features for MindsEye this weekend, a move viewed as a cynical maneuver to generate buzz and potentially salvage the project after its disastrous launch. It's a desperate measure, considering the game’s abysmal performance metrics – a peak concurrent player count of just 48 on Steam.
A history of missteps
MindsEye’s troubled journey began with ambitious aspirations under the leadership of Leslie Benzies, initially intended for the ‘Roblox for adults’ platform, Everywhere. However, the project quickly derailed, triggering a mass redundancy round at BARB last year and subsequent attempts at a ‘Blacklisted’ update that failed to reignite interest. The studio’s CEO, Mark Gerhard, even hinted at ‘criminal activity’ surrounding the game’s release – a claim that has only deepened the mistrust.
Industry whispers
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, recently offered a stark observation about the difficulty of achieving consistent hits in the maturing entertainment industry. His words – “Making hits seems to get harder and harder and harder as entertainment industries mature” – resonate with BARB’s struggles. It's a sobering reminder that even with considerable investment, creative success isn’t guaranteed.
A small protest, a big message
The union anticipates around 20 attendees at the protest, comprised of former BARB employees and their supporters. Notably, current BARB staff are not expected to participate. This isn't a call to arms; it’s a quiet, insistent demand for accountability and respect within the industry.
The bottom line
The situation at BARB highlights a wider trend: the immense pressure on studios to deliver, and the often-devastating consequences when they fail. The irony is stark – a studio once promising innovation is now embroiled in controversy and worker unrest. It’s a cautionary tale, and one that suggests the industry needs a serious re-evaluation of its priorities.