Mindseye's hail mary: sabotage claims & a price slash
Build a Rocket Boy’s MindsEye, once a cautionary tale of disastrous launches and staff layoffs, is attempting a dramatic comeback. The studio, led by CEO Mark Gerhard, is leaning heavily into a narrative of corporate sabotage – a claim met with considerable skepticism – while simultaneously offering deep discounts on the troubled action-adventure title.
The blacklisted update: a shadowy narrative
The latest attempt at redemption arrived today with the “Blacklisted” update, introducing a new mission starring assassin Julia Black. The task: dismantle a criminal network tearing apart a company. The subtext, as Gerhard himself admits, is deliberately pointed. What’s particularly noteworthy is that this mission was initially conceived as a crossover with IO Interactive’s Hitman, a partnership that ultimately fell through. Players will undoubtedly recognize the familiar open-ended design and target-based gameplay reminiscent of the acclaimed series, clocking in at roughly an hour of gameplay.
Gerhard has repeatedly alleged corporate sabotage since MindsEye’s launch, a narrative now being woven directly into the game’s content. He’s promised to name and depict those allegedly responsible within the game, though concrete evidence remains elusive. The Blacklisted update, delivered through Build a Rocket Boy's user-generated content platform, Arcadia, is being pitched as the first in a series of story expansions.
The price cut is significant: the Standard Edition now sits at $34.99, while the Deluxe Edition is available for $47.99. Gerhard insists this is “the perfect time to experience MindsEye, with over a year of enhancements and new content.” But the reality is stark. Despite the update and price drop, MindsEye currently boasts a mere 26 concurrent players on Steam, a number that underscores the monumental task facing Build a Rocket Boy.
From rockstar north to redemption?
The story behind MindsEye itself is a saga of its own. Leslie Benzies, the former boss of Rockstar North responsible for steering the Grand Theft Auto series and Red Dead Redemption, left the company after a sabbatical, alleging he was pushed out and subsequently engaged in a legal battle. A confidential settlement followed, allowing Benzies to form Build a Rocket Boy. The resulting game, however, failed to live up to the pedigree of its creator, launching to scathing reviews – IGN gave it a paltry 4/10 – and plagued by bugs and uninspired gameplay.
Adding to the drama, earlier this month, MindsEye staff filed a lawsuit against Build a Rocket Boy, claiming company bosses admitted to installing secret surveillance software on employee devices. This latest chapter only further complicates the already turbulent journey of a game desperately seeking a second act.
The future of MindsEye hinges on whether Build a Rocket Boy can truly leverage Arcadia and deliver on Gerhard's promises of expansion. For now, the Blacklisted update feels less like a triumphant return and more like a desperate plea for a chance to rewrite a very public failure.