The studio behind MindsEye, Build A Rocket Boy, is under fire after employees reportedly uncovered hidden monitoring software installed on their work systems. The tool, identified as Teramind, is said to have tracked keystrokes, screen activity, and even microphone input, raising serious concerns about privacy and transparency.
Workers first noticed something was wrong when their systems began slowing down. This led to an internal meeting—later leaked—where management allegedly confirmed the presence of the software. The situation escalated quickly, with around 40 employees staging a protest. The software was removed in March, but the company has yet to clarify what happened to any data that was already collected.
Legal Pressure Builds Over Privacy Violations
The situation has now moved into legal territory. The IWGB Game Workers Union has accused the studio of violating data-protection laws and undermining worker rights. According to the union, monitoring employees—especially those working remotely—without clear consent could represent a serious breach of privacy regulations.
The union is demanding full transparency, including a clear explanation of why the software was installed and how any captured data has been handled. These demands form part of a wider legal challenge that goes beyond the surveillance issue itself.
Employee Testimonies Raise Concerns
Reports from within the studio suggest deeper cultural issues. Lead cinematic animator Chris Wilson described the workplace as being driven by secrecy and excessive micromanagement. According to his account, the surveillance only worsened existing tensions and damaged trust between employees and leadership.
These concerns align with previous reports of instability within the company, including large-scale layoffs and internal disagreements. The monitoring controversy appears to be reinforcing a narrative of ongoing management struggles.
Lawsuits Expand Beyond Surveillance
The legal challenges do not stop at privacy concerns. Following the dismissal of roughly 300 employees last summer, additional claims were filed on April 12. These include allegations of unlawful blacklisting, failure to properly consult staff, and broader workplace detriment.
This expanding legal pressure is creating significant uncertainty around the studio’s future. Multiple cases running at the same time could impact both financial stability and long-term operations.
Leadership Pushes Back Amid Escalation
Co-CEO Mark Gerhard has pushed back against the accusations, framing the studio as a target of organized espionage and corporate sabotage. He has pointed to an external group, referred to as Ritual Network, and claims that investigators and law enforcement are now involved.
In a controversial move, the studio is also planning to introduce an in-game mission titled “Blacklist,” which is intended to present its version of events. This approach has raised further questions about how the company is choosing to respond publicly to the situation.
Troubled Development Adds to Uncertainty
The controversy comes at a difficult time for the studio. Founded by Leslie Benzies, Build A Rocket Boy entered the spotlight with MindsEye, but the game has struggled to gain positive traction. Reports of a messy development cycle and unclear leadership have followed the project for months.
Reception has reflected these concerns, with the game receiving a notably low score on PlayStation 5. Combined with ongoing lawsuits, layoffs, and internal disputes, the future of both the studio and MindsEye remains uncertain.
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