Studio leaders called the team “a family.” Employees ask: “Is this how you treat your own?”
Around 100 current and former employees of Build a Rocket Boy, the studio behind Mindseye, have signed an open letter condemning management for “sustained disrespect and mistreatment” of staff. The letter, published on October 11 by the IWGB Game Workers union, details a series of problems faced by employees, including actions taken by the studio’s founder, Leslie Benzies.
Following Mindseye’s troubled launch, the company — according to the union — dismissed between 250 and 300 people. The letter argues this outcome was the result of management ignoring the team’s years of experience, leading to “one of the worst releases of this decade.”
Employees complain of “a lack of transparency and communication.” They say information was scarce and unclear, and that Benzies frequently imposed sweeping changes to workflows without consulting those affected. Additionally, four months before release the studio mandated eight hours of overtime per week for all staff. For every eight hours worked, seven hours of time off were granted, but many could not take that leave due to persistent demands to handle urgent work even after launch.
The layoffs, employees say, were handled “catastrophically.” They allege staff were given incorrect information, including misassignments to internal teams and improper notice periods, which may have led to unlawful terminations.
Signatory developers are demanding public apologies for the mistreatment and “appropriate compensation” for those dismissed. They also call for improved workplace protections, including formal recognition of the IWGB as the union, the use of external partners for any future redundancies, and giving employees served with notice the choice to either work their remaining notice period or receive payment in lieu.
In closing, the letter addresses Benzies and co-director Mark Gerhard, who have referred to the staff as a “family,” asking: “Is this how you treat your own?”
Source: iXBT.games