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Title: IO Interactive splits with MindsEye developer and ends Hitman collab Post by: HCK on March 20, 2026, 04:05:06 pm 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=rss Source: IO Interactive splits with MindsEye developer and ends Hitman collab (https://www.engadget.com/gaming/io-interactive-splits-with-mindseye-developer-and-ends-hitman-collab-110028292.html?src=rss) |