IWGB Union "Have No Reason to Believe Fresh Redundancies Are Taking Place" At MindsEye Studio Build a Rocket Boy, Following Latest Layoff Report

Why It Matters

The layoffs expose the financial fragility of mid‑size game studios and underscore rising labor tensions in the UK gaming sector, while the pending lawsuit could impose hefty penalties on BARB.

Key Takeaways

• BARB cut roughly 170 of 250 employees, leaving about 80 staff
• Union IWGB says no fresh redundancies, cites March‑era cuts continuation
• Legal claim alleges unfair consultation, blacklisting, could cost BARB millions
• CEO Mark Gerhard blamed espionage, embedding the narrative in Blacklisted mission
• Several developers announced layoffs on LinkedIn and Discord in early May

Pulse Analysis

The indie‑mid‑tier studio Build a Rocket Boy, known for the MindsEye shooter, has reportedly slashed its workforce by roughly 170 people, shrinking a 250‑person roster to about 80. The cuts follow a March reduction and come on the heels of a troubled launch that left the title struggling to meet revenue expectations. Industry observers note that such a steep headcount decline is rare outside of major publisher restructurings and signals deep cash‑flow pressures. The layoffs also raise questions about the studio’s ability to support ongoing live‑service updates and future projects.

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has stepped in, asserting that no new redundancies are being made while acknowledging the March‑era downsizing. Union members allege breaches of collective consultation, procedural unfairness, unlawful blacklisting and trade‑union detriment, and have filed a legal claim that could cost BARB millions if the court rules against the company. This dispute highlights a growing trend of UK game developers turning to collective bargaining to protect jobs, and it may set a precedent for how studios handle mass layoffs under UK employment law.

CEO Mark Gerhard has framed the turmoil as the result of ‘organized espionage and corporate sabotage,’ even weaving the narrative into the newly released in‑game mission Blacklisted, originally intended as a Hitman crossover. While the storyline adds a dramatic veneer, analysts warn that such rhetoric can distract from underlying financial mismanagement and erode stakeholder confidence. If the legal case proceeds unfavorably, BARB could face substantial penalties, further jeopardizing its ability to fund new content or secure publishing deals. The episode serves as a cautionary tale for studios balancing creative ambition with fiscal discipline.