MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy announces further layoffs

MindsEye developer Build A Rocket Boy has announced a further round of redundancies at the studio, with CEO Mark Gerhard claiming the game's launch was affected by "overwhelming evidence of organised espionage and corporate sabotage."

The details:

• In a statement posted on the studio's official LinkedIn page, Gerhard announced yet another wave of layoffs has hit the developer, though details of how many employees were affected have not been revealed. “Over the past few years, the games industry has gone through one of the most difficult periods in its history,” Gerhard wrote. “Many talented developers across the world have been affected by layoffs and restructuring. Unfortunately, today we have to share that Build A Rocket Boy is not immune to those pressures. Today we are announcing a further number of redundancies at the studio.”
• The executive went on to acknowledge the work of those laid off but proceeded to suggest that MindsEye's commercial failure was partly due to "criminal activity," stating that the studio has been working with external partners and legal advisors to investigate the matter. According to Gerhard, the investigation has led to "overwhelming evidence of organised espionage and corporate sabotage affecting MindsEye," but full details could not be revealed yet as the “matter is moving toward prosecution.”
• Unsurprisingly, the post was met with criticism from the wider gaming industry, accusing the statement of being "disrespectful" for announcing layoffs alongside the allegations. However, former platform engineer Jordan Rey supported Gerhard’s claims in a reply to the post, stating that he was allegedly targeted and harassed by a group of people that even went as far as to SWAT the developer’s home.