MindsEye Flopped So Badly That Its Publisher Is Questioning If It Should Publish Games Ever Again

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You may recognize Build a Rocket Boy as the creator of MindsEye, but it’s worth noting that the disappointing launch of the PS5 might not have even occurred if it weren’t for its publishing partner, IO Interactive – the developers behind Hitman and 007 First Light.

The first game that wasn’t self-developed by the studio turned out poorly, causing IO Interactive to reconsider if they should attempt such projects in the future.

Before the game’s launch, the company decided to collaborate with Rocket Boy, a game developed by a debut studio, recognizing its innovative concepts and immersive backdrop. According to Hakan Abrak, CEO of IO Interactive, this was done in order to facilitate the distribution of the game.

In the build-up to its release, Rocket Boy was heavily promoted as a groundbreaking gaming experience, boasting cinematic excellence, innovative game design, and a steady supply of high-quality premium content. Unfortunately, the final product fell short, earning an overall Metacritic score of 37.

Upon reviewing the game, Abrak shared with IGN: “The launch was challenging. It didn’t meet their expectations nor ours at IOI Partners. However, they are putting in a great effort to win back the trust of gamers worldwide. They possess immense potential and an abundance of content they are developing. Here’s hoping they achieve success in restoring trust in the future.

As a die-hard gaming enthusiast, I can say that the recent events have undeniably shaken up IO Interactive’s publishing division. When I poked around, inquiring if they plan to keep distributing games alongside their own homegrown titles, Abrak wasn’t ready to spill the beans just yet. In other words, whether or not they’ll continue down this path remains a mystery for now.

After a disappointing debut, Build a Rocket Boy has announced they are undergoing significant staff reductions, and have chosen to postpone content they had previously promised. A level featuring Hitman was planned for release, but has now been delayed. The studio indicated that updates scheduled for August and September would be available, though the update due last month has yet to appear.

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2025-09-04 15:08