Mark Gerhard, CEO of Build A Rocket Boy, described the launch of the studio's shooter MindsEye as 'the worst launch in history.' He attributed many issues to sabotage and said the studio plans to share evidence in an upcoming multiplayer update. Gerhard also noted improving sales and reviews since the game's release last June.
Mark Gerhard, CEO and CTO of Build A Rocket Boy, spoke to GamesBeat about the rocky debut of MindsEye, the studio's AAA shooter that launched last June. 'We know we had, without doubt, the worst launch in history,' Gerhard said, acknowledging launch glitches while blaming much of the negativity on 'organised espionage and corporate sabotage.' The studio has faced layoffs following the release and earlier this year, which Gerhard linked to these troubles. He conceded that some issues were 'on us' but claimed a 'concerted effort' shaped a negative narrative, preventing the game from finding its community. The studio, founded in 2016 by former GTA producer Leslie Benzies, originally planned MindsEye as part of its Everywhere platform announced in 2022. Gerhard dismissed pre-launch criticism as financed by rivals and recent refund claims as exaggerated, insisting they fall 'within the norms for many games.' He stated that sales are now 'increasing organically, doubling almost weekly,' and the game is 'being very well-reviewed.' Gerhard revealed the studio holds 'very strong evidence' of interference, with parties identified and the matter handed to US and UK authorities. 'We'll leave them to do what they do,' he said. A forthcoming multiplayer update will introduce a new mission called Blacklist and a female playable character, while also sharing some sabotage evidence with players. The team aims to release tools for community content creation.