Less than a year after MindsEye* became one of gaming’s most spectacular misfires, the developer behind it has leveled fresh accusations of sabotage—this time implicating a UK-based company in a €1 million smear campaign. In an internal meeting leaked to gaming outlets, Build A Rocket Boy’s co-CEO Mark Gerhard claimed the studio had identified the masterminds behind what he described as a ‘concerted effort’ to destroy MindsEye’s reputation, including payments to influencers, journalists, and even internal employees.
The alleged architect of the scheme is Ritual Network, a UK firm that Gerhard claims spent heavily to manipulate public perception. While the accusations echo earlier suspicions—including unfounded claims that Rockstar may have been involved—the studio now insists this was a calculated, professional operation. Ritual Network has denied any wrongdoing, stating they are unaware of any legal action and have no connection to the allegations.
Gerhard’s response? A direct counterattack. The studio plans to feature the alleged saboteurs in an upcoming MindsEye mission, framing it as a ‘spy operation’ that will ‘own the narrative.’ The idea appears to repurpose an earlier Hitman-themed mission that was part of a scrapped publishing deal with IO Interactive. ‘We’re going to judo this right back at them,’ Gerhard reportedly told staff, framing the move as both a legal and PR strategy.
Who is this for?For gamers who follow industry drama, this is a rare glimpse into how a struggling studio might weaponize its own controversies. For MindsEye players, the spy mission—if executed—could offer a bizarre twist, turning real-world allegations into in-game lore. But for the broader gaming community, the story underscores a troubling pattern: when a game fails, its developers may prefer conspiracy theories over self-reflection.
Key details:Alleged campaign: €1 million spent on influencers, journalists, and internal leaks, targeting MindsEye and Build A Rocket Boy’s reputation.Targeted company: Ritual Network (UK-based), not Rockstar, despite earlier speculation.Studio response: Criminal complaints filed; alleged saboteurs to appear in an upcoming MindsEye mission.Employee backlash: Controversial cybersecurity software installed on company PCs without consent, tracking keystrokes and screen activity.Former staff claims: Over 250 employees laid off after MindsEye’s launch cited ‘systemic mistreatment’ and ‘crunch’ as root causes, not sabotage.
The internal meeting also revealed tensions over a newly deployed cybersecurity tool that monitors employee activity. Gerhard acknowledged the move has caused ‘confusion and mistrust,’ justifying it as a necessity after the alleged smear campaign. ‘I want to make sure I can protect you guys going forward,’ he said, though the lack of transparency around its deployment has left staff uneasy.
Meanwhile, MindsEye’s post-launch update—promised as a turning point—has yet to reverse its fortunes. The game’s initial reception was defined by a single minute of awkward gameplay in its teaser trailer, where a character endures verbal abuse over the phone. Whether the spy mission or legal battles will shift perceptions remains to be seen—but for now, the studio’s narrative is clear: someone is to blame, and they’re fighting back.
What’s next?The spy mission is expected as part of MindsEye*’s upcoming content, though no release window has been confirmed. Legal proceedings against Ritual Network and alleged collaborators are reportedly underway, with Gerhard insisting the studio will ‘expose everything.’ For players, the bigger question may be whether this is a genuine counterattack—or another chapter in a story that has long outgrown the game itself.
