Game Studio Allegations of Sabotage and Employee Spying

In a developing saga within the gaming industry, the studio behind the recently launched game MindsEye, Build A Rocket Boy (BARB), finds itself embroiled in controversy. Co-CEOs Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies have reportedly leveled accusations of a concerted sabotage campaign against their game, costing over €1 million and involving a "very big American company" and a UK-based entity called Ritual Network. This comes amid ongoing criticism of MindsEye's underwhelming reception, which the executives have consistently attributed to external interference rather than internal shortcomings. Adding to the internal discord, employees have reportedly had cybersecurity software installed on their computers without prior notice, raising significant privacy concerns.

Details Unfold: Sabotage Claims and Internal Surveillance at Build A Rocket Boy

In the aftermath of MindsEye's less-than-stellar debut in 2025, Build A Rocket Boy's leadership, including Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies, has been vocal about their belief that the game's poor performance is the result of deliberate sabotage. This narrative has recently escalated with reports emerging from an internal company meeting held in late January. During this meeting, Gerhard allegedly informed BARB employees that the individuals responsible for undermining MindsEye had been identified. He further claimed these saboteurs would not only face criminal charges but would also be featured by name in an upcoming MindsEye mission, a move apparently intended to "own this narrative."

Gerhard reportedly detailed an elaborate campaign, costing upwards of €1 million, orchestrated by a "very big American company" and executed by a UK-based firm named Ritual Network. This alleged campaign supposedly involved payments to influencers, journalists, and even BARB's own employees, all aimed at damaging MindsEye's reputation. However, Ritual Network has vehemently denied these claims, stating they are unaware of any legitimate legal action and have not been presented with supporting evidence.

Adding to the tension, Gerhard acknowledged to employees that "enhanced cybersecurity software" had been secretly installed on their PCs. This software, reportedly designed to monitor user activity, keystrokes, and screen behavior, has sparked significant "confusion, upset, and mistrust" among staff. Gerhard defended the implementation, citing it as a necessary measure to protect the company following the alleged sabotage.

These recent developments follow earlier public statements by Benzies and Gerhard, who have consistently deflected criticism of MindsEye's quality onto external forces. The studio's track record includes a second official gameplay teaser that was widely criticized for its lack of substantive content, further fueling skepticism about the executives' claims. This contentious situation comes after previous layoffs at the studio, where former employees issued an open letter to leadership, attributing the game's failure to "systemic mistreatment, mismanagement, and mishandling" by Benzies and Gerhard, rather than external sabotage. Former BARB analyst Ben Newbon emphasized that studio leadership has avoided taking responsibility, instead blaming external factors for the game's downfall.

The ongoing situation at Build A Rocket Boy underscores the complex challenges faced by game developers in a highly competitive and scrutinized industry. The allegations of sabotage, coupled with the controversial implementation of surveillance software, highlight a potential crisis of trust and transparency within the company. For the broader gaming community, it raises questions about accountability, corporate ethics, and the responsibility of leadership in fostering a healthy and productive work environment. Whether the executives' claims of sabotage hold water or are a deflection from internal issues, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of honest self-assessment and maintaining ethical standards in business practices.