Double-A shooter MindsEye shifts from a promising GTA rival to a triple-A failure seconds post-launch

MindsEye's launch was marred by bugs, dropping excitement for its GTA-like promise.

: MindsEye, an anticipated sci-fi shooter by Build A Rocket Boy, failed spectacularly due to game-breaking bugs and glitches. Creatively led by ex-GTA producer Leslie Benzies, the game was expected to be a top contender in its genre. Players expressed heavy disappointment as performance issues rendered it unplayable for many, while Steam reviews were 60% negative. The studio promised fixes, although criticism was deflected onto Rockstar for allegedly fueling negativity.

MindsEye, a third-person shooter from Build a Rocket Boy and ex-Rockstar producer Leslie Benzies, launched with high expectations, promising to rival Grand Theft Auto. But almost instantly, it ran into trouble. Players reported severe bugs—NPCs floating, vehicles exploding randomly, and frequent game crashes. Within hours, the game’s Steam rating sank to Mostly Negative.

The problems weren’t just cosmetic. Many players found missions completely broken and the overall performance unstable. While a few praised the story and visuals, most couldn’t get past the technical mess. At a full $60 price, many felt cheated, and refund requests quickly piled up.

Adding fuel to the fire, studio co-CEO Mark Gerhard claimed the backlash was the result of a targeted smear campaign. He suggested bot farms and possibly even competitors were behind the flood of bad reviews and social media attacks. The accusation sparked further controversy and skepticism.

Just before launch, two top executives—the CFO and legal chief—quietly left the company. Review codes were reportedly withheld from the media, and console patches were delayed. These signs pointed to a rushed and possibly panicked launch strategy that only worsened the situation.

Now, with player numbers low and criticism still pouring in, MindsEye risks being remembered not as a bold GTA rival, but as a cautionary tale of ambition outpacing execution. While the studio has promised updates, many wonder if it’s too late to recover trust.

Sources: IndiaTimes, Polygon, GamesRadar, PCGamer

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