Build A Rocket Boy has officially taken over publishing duties for MindsEye after a turbulent period under IO Interactive. Following what many critics labeled one of the most disastrous launches in recent memory, the developer is now operating as a fully independent entity. To mark this shift in strategy, the studio has implemented a permanent price reduction across all platforms, bringing the Standard Edition down to $34.99 and the Deluxe Edition to $17.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
The price adjustment arrives alongside the “Blacklisted” content update, which introduces Julia Black as a playable protagonist. A world-class assassin tied to the Meridian agency, Black’s mission takes players into Redrock City to dismantle a criminal network through espionage and sabotage. Beyond new gameplay, the update serves a secondary, more pointed purpose: addressing the “corporate sabotage” claims previously made by CEO Mark Gerhard. The studio asserts that this new mission contains narrative elements intended to share evidence regarding the alleged internal and external efforts to smear the game’s 2025 debut.
Despite the push for a content-led recovery, the studio remains embroiled in significant internal and legal turmoil. Build A Rocket Boy is currently facing legal action from its own developers over the alleged use of highly invasive surveillance software. Reports indicate that the studio installed Teramind on employee workstations, capable of recording keystrokes and microphone audio without consent. While the software was reportedly removed in March following staff protests, the legal ramifications regarding data protection and worker dignity continue to loom over the company’s independence.
This transitional period is further complicated by a fresh wave of redundancies at the studio. While specific numbers were not disclosed, Mark Gerhard described the layoffs as a “deeply painful” necessity driven by broader economic pressures within the games industry. Between the legal battles, staffing cuts, and a critical reception that currently sits at a 33 on OpenCritic, the “Blacklisted” update represents a high-stakes attempt to stabilize a project that has struggled to find its footing since day one.
