Build A Rocket Boy, the company founded by ex-Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies in 2016, has confirmed a recent round of layoffs. Although the exact number of job losses remains unconfirmed, reports initially surfaced yesterday via PCGamesN. The studio has since acknowledged the situation, stating that “the removal of a number of roles globally” has occurred, as reported to Eurogamer.
Headquartered in Edinburgh, Build A Rocket Boy also maintains offices in Budapest, Montpellier, and China. The company, bolstered by investment from NetEase, recently concluded a funding round securing $110 million.
In a statement to Eurogamer, a spokesperson for Build A Rocket Boy addressed the necessity of organizational changes, citing the need for increased agility to meet project demands. “While we have made great progress developing our products, we are now in a position where we need to make changes to the way we work across our business in order to become a more agile studio and to meet the requirements that our projects demand,” the spokesperson remarked.
Acknowledging the difficulty of the decision, the company expressed its commitment to supporting affected employees during this challenging period. The restructuring process is ongoing, with efforts underway to assist impacted individuals.
Last year, Eurogamer visited Build A Rocket Boy in Edinburgh, offering insights into the company’s ambitious endeavors. Notable projects include MindsEye, a AAA single-player game component, and Everywhere, a metaverse-inspired platform akin to Fortnite, poised for future release.
