Full Breakdown
Allegations of Mismanagement and Legal Action at Build A Rocket Boy
10/11/2025, 12:17:30 AM
Open Letter and Legal Action Initiated by Employees
An open letter signed by 93 current and former employees of Build A Rocket Boy (BARB) has accused the studio's leadership, specifically co-CEOs Leslie Benzies and Mark Gerhard, of "longstanding disrespect and mistreatment" of staff. The letter, published with the support of the Game Workers Branch of the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union, highlights issues such as a lack of transparency, excessive overtime, and poor handling of redundancies. Following the disastrous launch of the studio's debut game, *MindsEye*, which received a Metacritic score of just 37, the studio confirmed layoffs affecting between 250 and 300 employees.
Allegations of Workplace Conditions
The letter details a mandatory overtime policy that required employees to work an additional eight hours per week in the four months leading up to the game's release. Although employees were promised Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) at a rate of seven hours for every eight worked, many were unable to take this time off due to ongoing demands for "high-priority" work. The signatories claim that the redundancy process was mishandled, resulting in misinformation, incorrect dismissal notices, and potential wrongful dismissals for dozens of employees.
Demands for Change
The employees' demands include a public apology from the studio's leadership, proper compensation for laid-off workers, and a commitment to improve workplace conditions. They also seek acknowledgment of the IWGB as a trade union and the use of external partners for future redundancy processes to ensure fair treatment. The letter concludes with a call for leadership to allow remaining skilled employees to guide the company's future.
Criticism from Former Employees
Former employees have voiced strong criticisms of the studio's management. Isaac Hudd, an audio engineer, stated that the studio has shown little regard for employee well-being, while Ben Newbon, a data analyst, described the management's approach as "callous." Both emphasized that the studio's leadership has failed to take responsibility for the game's poor reception, instead attributing the failure to external factors.
Union's Response and Broader Implications
Spring McparlinJones, chair of the IWGB Game Workers union, condemned the treatment of workers at BARB, stating that they have been "belittled, cheated, and manipulated." The union's involvement signifies a growing trend in the gaming industry where employees are increasingly organizing to demand better working conditions and accountability from management.
Official Statements from Build A Rocket Boy
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Build A Rocket Boy expressed sadness over the layoffs, stating that the company approached the redundancy process with care and transparency. They acknowledged the hard work of former employees and indicated a commitment to learning from the feedback received.
Conclusion
The situation at Build A Rocket Boy underscores significant challenges within the gaming industry regarding employee treatment and management accountability. As legal actions unfold and demands for change are made, the outcome may have broader implications for workplace standards in the sector.
