Six weeks into 2026, one might have expected Build A Rocket Boy and their controversial title MindsEye to have faded into the background. However, the developers behind what many considered the most polarizing release of the past year are doing everything in their power to remain at the center of the industry’s attention.
Parting Ways with IO Interactive
In early February, BARB officially announced that their collaboration with IO Interactive had come to an end. While observers initially speculated that the HITMAN creators were fleeing the project following its public fiasco and a string of scandals (one, two, and beyond), the studio suggests otherwise. The narrative from BARB is that they chose to sever ties to focus exclusively on rehabilitating their own product. To date, MindsEye has received its seventh major update aimed at stabilizing the experience.
The fallout means the HITMAN crossover missions, unveiled last summer, have been scrapped entirely. Recent trailers have already been edited to remove any trace of the Danish studio’s branding.
Allegations of Corporate Sabotage
Internal turmoil recently spilled into the public eye following reports of a staff meeting led by co-CEO Marc Gerhard. During the session, Gerhard alleged that the game’s disastrous reception was fueled by calculated sabotage. He claimed a “prominent American corporation”—clarifying it was not Rockstar Games—paid over €1 million to Ritual Network, an influencer management agency, to orchestrate a smear campaign against the launch. While the agency denies these claims, Gerhard insists that several content creators, three journalists, and even “moles” within Build A Rocket Boy were involved.
BARB management is now preparing for a legal offensive against the accused parties. Spokespeople indicated they possess digital evidence of these illicit activities, purportedly harvested from company hardware. It was revealed that the studio had been using Teramind—monitoring software designed to track every keystroke and activity—on employee computers. This revelation has created significant friction within the company, as staff were reportedly unaware they were under such heavy surveillance. The software is expected to be phased out over the next three months.
In a bizarre twist, the developers plan to “expose” these alleged saboteurs through the game itself. Reports suggest a new espionage-themed mission is in development, utilizing assets from the cancelled HITMAN collaboration. In this mission, players will reportedly be tasked with assassinating targets named after the real-world individuals accused of trying to “undermine the reputation of Build A Rocket Boy.”
Leslie Benzies Addresses the Epstein Connection
Amidst the studio’s internal chaos, founder Leslie Benzies has been forced to address persistent rumors linking his name to the Jeffrey Epstein files. Benzies clarified that while he briefly dated Sarah Ransom, one of the survivors mentioned in the documents, he never met Epstein, visited his properties, or utilized his private transportation. The documents themselves do not provide evidence to the contrary, only mentioning Benzies in relation to his brief acquaintance with Ransom.
“I dated this individual for three months. I never met Jeffrey Epstein, never visited his island or his estates, and never traveled on his aircraft. Any claims suggesting a deeper connection are categorically false and misleading.”
Despite the high-stakes drama surrounding his company, Benzies has remained largely absent from recent operations. The studio confirmed that the former Rockstar North visionary and GTA producer is currently on a “short, pre-planned vacation,” though he maintains his position as co-CEO.
Source: gta.com.ua