Build a Rocket Boy, the studio co-founded by former Grand Theft Auto developer Leslie Benzies, is reportedly closing its doors permanently. Several employees have announced their departures from the company on LinkedIn, with sources familiar with the situation confirming to Kotaku that the studio is winding down operations.
Recent LinkedIn posts from individuals identifying as a level designer, QA analyst, release manager, and production QA analyst indicate that their time at Build a Rocket Boy has concluded. Dan Hawkins, the studio's principal talent acquisition partner, stated in a post that he would be assisting Build a Rocket Boy through its final stages in the HR department. Hawkins also mentioned he is actively seeking new opportunities.
The studio has faced considerable challenges since its inception. These include multiple rounds of layoffs, a collective grievance filed by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain, and accusations of excessive crunch time and unlawful employee monitoring. Despite efforts to rework its ambitious open-world game, formerly codenamed MindsEye, these issues have contributed to a tumultuous period for the company.