Build A Rocket Boy Slashes Staff After Failed Hitman DLC, Removes Agent 47

Build A Rocket Boy (BARB), the studio behind last year’s troubled game MindsEye, has reportedly undergone another round of layoffs, this time affecting senior and other staff members. The cuts follow the release of the studio’s ill-fated Hitman collaboration DLC, which was altered to exclude Agent 47.

The DLC, now titled Blacklisted, was originally intended as a crossover mission between MindsEye and the Hitman franchise. Players control Julia Black (originally intended to be a Hitman character) on a mission in Redrock City to eliminate two targets. The opening sequence and dialogue, including a voiceover by what was likely meant to be Diana Burnwood, clearly indicated the mission’s Hitman origins.

IO Interactive confirmed the end of its partnership with BARB a few months prior. The mission was originally scheduled for a June release but was launched early with significant changes that removed much of its Hitman identity, despite retaining similar structure and direction.

The DLC’s reception was underwhelming, sparking widespread memes rather than engagement. In response, BARB has reportedly laid off senior staff and other developers, as confirmed through LinkedIn posts. Senior game designer James Tyler stated he was affected by the "latest redundancies," alongside an undisclosed number of other employees, according to a Kotaku report.

Ongoing Challenges for BARB

This marks another round of layoffs for Build A Rocket Boy, following a tumultuous year. The studio’s CEO previously attributed the struggles of MindsEye to "internal and external sabotage, among other things," rather than the game’s quality. Critics, including this publication, argued that MindsEye was overmarketed and overambitious, failing to meet its goals without external factors being the sole cause.

As the studio faces further setbacks, the future of its projects remains uncertain. Whether future endeavors will avoid a similar fate remains to be seen.