Build A Rocket Boy has appointed administrators

Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind the troubled MindsEye game, has appointed administrators after a recent round of layoffs. The company confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that Opus Advisory Group is acting as its administrator, following a filing with Companies House. The appointment signals insolvency, providing temporary protection from creditors while restructuring or liquidation is considered. The move comes after years of financial decline and operational instability.

Financial records for the 12 months ending September 30, 2025, show Build A Rocket Boy reported a £47.5 million operating loss and a £36.2 million net loss. As of that date, the company owed creditors £61.8 million, highlighting severe financial distress. The studio’s latest accounts reflect its inability to sustain operations despite prior investments from firms like NetEase Games and RedBird Capital Partners.

The company’s leadership has faced significant upheaval, including the termination of directors from NetEase Games, RedBird Capital Partners, and Galaxy Interactive in summer 2026. Founded in 2016 by Rockstar veteran Leslie Benzies, Build A Rocket Boy launched MindsEye in June 2025 to poor reviews and audience reception. Within a month, around 300 staff were notified of potential redundancies, marking the beginning of ongoing workforce reductions.

Legal and operational controversies have compounded the studio’s challenges. The IWGB Game Workers union filed legal action in October 2025 over alleged mishandling of redundancies. In early 2026, employees discovered Teramind monitoring software installed without notice, prompting further legal action by the union for data privacy violations. Co-CEO Mark Gerhard later claimed, without evidence, that a major American company spent over €1 million in 2025 on alleged criminal activity against the studio.