MindsEye launch becomes first major gaming flop in 2025
MindsEye, the debut game from ex-GTA dev Leslie Benzies, crashes at launch with streamer walkouts, game-breaking bugs, and negative reviews flooding in.
MindsEye’s debut sparks backlash and chaotic streams
When a new game comes out, it’s usual for game developers to work with streamers and online stars to get the hype started. That was the plan for MindsEye, the first game from Build A Rocket Boy, the studio run by former Rockstar North boss Leslie Benzies.
With movie-like trailers, ads in cinemas, and a big show at Summer Game Fest, MindsEye promised a fast-action third-person sci-fi shooter. It mixed GTA-style driving with smart robots and AI gone wrong. However, even with all the hype and big names behind it, the launch didn’t go well, and the internet noticed right away.
The game came out on June 10, with some Twitch streamers hinting at paid playthroughs. At first, a few went ahead as planned. Gamers were curious about the battle-inspired concept you'd often see in the darker themes of Stake online (https://stake.in/) games. However, when bad reviews started coming in, many streams were taken down with no warning.
One of the most talked-about cases was streamer CohhCarnage. He ended his stream after his team said the sponsor 'did not want to do this right now'. He said it was the first time a sponsor had pulled out while the stream was already live.
What went wrong?
Glitches, crashes, and strange design choices quickly hit both streamers and players. One clip that went viral showed ExtraEmily stuck in the game with no way to get out. DarkViperAU ended his stream with a robot-like ad that viewers joked sounded like he was being forced to say it.
During his 3-hour stream, he looked lost, upset, and at times, completely worn out. Sodapoppin kept facing crashes and had to read planned lines while trying to fix the game live.
Some of the hate came from problems with the game: boring missions, weak AI, and tech issues. Others also blamed the confusing promo campaign. Screenshots even showed the main MindsEye account telling people not to stream the game, even though it was already out.
This was strange since the game's ads mostly depended on streamers. Even now, no one knows if the streamers who had their paid streams pulled in the middle ever got their money.
On Steam, MindsEye got hit with hundreds of bad reviews. Many players pointed out broken mechanics and bland gameplay. The game copies a lot of Rockstar’s style: cool cars, lifelike cutscenes, and weird side characters. Sadly, the mix didn’t work for most players.
Still publicity?
Ironically, the mess only made the game more popular online. YouTuber MoistCr1TiKaL (penguinz0) called it 'a complete haemorrhoid of an experience' and criticised everything except the cutscenes. His video became one of the top trending clips on YouTube.
It’s a story we’ve seen before, like with The Lord of the Rings: Gollum in 2023, where broken games become famous for all the wrong reasons. However, early talks are already comparing it to big letdowns like Cyberpunk 2077, Battlefield 2042, and Saints Row. Winning players back won’t be easy.
Build A Rocket Boy has said a fix for PC and a patch for consoles will come 'as soon as possible'. They also said MindsEye is just the start. They plan to add tools for mods, new quests, online play, and even a team-up with Hitman.
Until then, no one knows yet if MindsEye can recover. Some players may prefer war-themed games on sites like Stake online (https://cricketleaguestats.com/are-drone-light-shows-the-next-fireworks/) over the action-filled promise left unmet. One thing is clear, though: MindsEye is now part of a growing list of games that were overhyped and then fell apart under the pressure they built.