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Build A Rocket Boy Workers Publish Open Letter as Union Files Legal Action Over Layoffs

The escalation centers on claims that the studio mishandled redundancies in the wake of MindsEye’s failed launch.

Overview

  • Niney-three current and former employees, supported by the IWGB Game Workers branch, accused co-CEOs Leslie Benzies and Mark Gerhard of systemic mismanagement and mistreatment.
  • Signatories allege a mandatory eight hours of weekly overtime for four months before launch, with time off in lieu promised but often not granted due to continued “high‑priority” work.
  • The letter cites chaotic redundancies, including misinformation, incorrect notice periods, and staff placed in wrong teams for performance scoring, with potential wrongful dismissals.
  • The union says it is filing multiple legal claims over failures to consult and alleged unfair dismissals, following estimated layoffs affecting roughly 250–300 workers.
  • Workers demand a public apology, proper compensation, a PILON option for those on notice, recognition of the IWGB, and use of external partners to oversee any future redundancies.