IO Interactive splits with MindsEye developer and ends Hitman collab<p>
MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy (BARB) has gone through serious drama recently including <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/mindseye-dev-warns-staff-about-layoffs-amid-talk-of-saboteurs-and-relaunch-183934780.html">layoffs and accusations of sabotage[/url]. Now, the company is parting ways with its
MindsEye co-publisher IOI Partners (the company behind
Hitman publisher IO Interactive) and assuming sole publishing responsibilities going forward. It also means that a planned
MindsEye and
Hitman collaboration will be cancelled, the companies announced in a <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/bastion-uk/pressreleases/ioi-partners-and-build-a-rocket-boy-announce-transition-of-mindseye-publishing-rights-3438129">press release[/url]. </p>
<p>"IOI Partners’ involvement with MindsEye comes to an end, except for any essential transitional functions required to transfer publisher-of-record status to Build A Rocket Boy," the companies stated. "In light of this separation, the Hitman mission announced in June 2025, planned as a crossover event within MindsEye, will no longer be released." They acknowledged that the announcement is likely to spur disappointment among funs and thanked the community for its support. </p>
<span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><p>The publishing deal was a first for IOI partners and looked promising, considering the pedigree of BARB's co-CEO Leslie Benzies as a former Rockstar North president and GTA producer. However,
MindsEye was widely criticized upon release due to bugs, a lackluster story and mediocre gameplay. </p>
<p>At the same time, employees penned an open letter <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gzn34gwvwo">accusing[/url] Benzies of mismanaging the game and bungling layoffs. In response, Benzies and co-CEO Mark Gerhard said that negative pre-release feedback came about to due internal and external sabotage, a claim that employees reportedly doubted. In any case, BARB is now on its own and has a tall order to save
MindsEye, particularly after recent layoffs. </p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/io-interactive-splits-with-mindseye-developer-and-ends-hitman-collab-110028292.html?src=rssSource:
IO Interactive splits with MindsEye developer and ends Hitman collab
