The handling of layoffs and excessive overtime at Build a Rocket Boy (BARB) has sparked serious accusations from nearly 100 of its current and former developers, who openly criticize studio executives for severe mismanagement. This group highlights what they describe as a chaotic and poorly executed redundancy process alongside unmanageable demands for overtime work.
With support from the Game Workers Branch of the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union, these developers claim that 250 to 300 employees have lost their jobs because top leaders Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies neglected to listen to or support their workforce. The union has also revealed that some employees are pursuing legal actions against BARB due to these disputes.
BARB confirmed in June that layoffs were underway, shortly after the troubled launch of its first game MindsEye, though the company never disclosed exactly how many staff were affected. Before the launch, two key executives – chief legal officer Riley Graebner and chief financial officer Paul Bland – had already left the studio.
In the open letter, signed by 93 BARB workers, Gerhard and Benzies are accused of enforcing a mandatory overtime policy requiring every employee to work an extra eight hours per week during the four months leading up to the game’s release. While "Time Off In Lieu" (TOIL) was offered at a rate of seven hours for every eight hours worked, many claim they were unable to use this time due to continual demands for urgent tasks, even after MindsEye’s launch.
The letter describes the redundancy rollout as mishandled, generating anxiety and confusion among staff. Employees reportedly received inaccurate information, incorrect notice periods, and were sometimes assigned to inappropriate teams, causing their performance to be unfairly evaluated. These mistakes may have led to wrongful dismissals affecting dozens of people.
Perhaps the most striking criticism is that Gerhard and Benzies failed to communicate adequately with the employees—those who actually hold the expertise shaping the company’s trajectory. The letter says information was often scant and unclear, with sudden shifts in work processes imposed without input from those affected.
The executives are further accused of causing unnecessary stress and hardship by shirking true responsibility for the company’s welfare and its people. The letter paints a picture of burnout, insecurity, health struggles, and the crushing disappointment of a game launch that fell short despite years of dedication from the team.
The signees demand a formal public apology and fair compensation for employees who were let go. They also want the option for those on redundancy notice to either work out their notice periods or receive Payment in Lieu of Notice (PILON). Furthermore, they call for a committed, transparent effort to improve workplace conditions, including recognizing IWGB as a trade union and partnering with impartial external bodies to manage any future layoffs properly.
"CEOs need to step back and let the skilled professionals who remain guide the company forward," the letter asserts. In a poignant closing, the developers urge Gerhard and Benzies to reconsider their claim that employees are treated like family, asking, "Is this truly how you treat your own?"
Game Developer has reached out to Build a Rocket Boy for an official comment.
This controversy raises bigger questions about leadership accountability in game studios—can executives focused on vision and control effectively manage the human aspects of their teams? Or should they genuinely delegate authority to experienced staff to create healthier work environments? Readers are invited to share their perspectives and experiences in the comments below.
