Build a Rocket Boy to end publishing partnership with IO Interactive on MindsEye

Build a Rocket Boy to end publishing partnership with IO Interactive on MindsEye

Industry sources say Build a Rocket Boy is set to end its publishing partnership with IO Interactive in relation to the upcoming project MindsEye. The decision, first reported to gaming trade press late on Friday, leaves the publishing position for the title uncertain and raises questions about the game's schedule and marketing plans.

Neither studio has issued a full public statement at the time of writing. Representatives for both Build a Rocket Boy and IO Interactive were contacted for comment but had not responded; this article will be updated if either company provides official remarks.

What is known

• Partnership termination: Multiple industry contacts say the formal publishing relationship between Build a Rocket Boy and IO Interactive on MindsEye will be brought to an end. The exact timing and contractual details remain unconfirmed.
• Development status unclear: Sources indicate MindsEye remains in development, but it is not clear whether the change in publishing arrangements will delay release plans or alter the scope of the project.
• No confirmed buyer or replacement: At present there is no public announcement of a new publisher for MindsEye. It is possible IO Interactive will take on publishing duties itself, seek another external partner, or enter into a region-specific arrangement — all options that have precedent in the industry.

Context and potential impact

Publishing agreements typically cover financing, marketing, distribution and platform relationships. A termination mid-development can therefore have practical implications beyond corporate housekeeping: marketing campaigns may need to be reworked, platform deals reviewed and budgets reassessed. That said, termination does not necessarily mean cancellation.

IO Interactive is best known for the Hitman series and has operated as an independent studio for several years. The studio has previously navigated major publishing arrangements and could opt to self-publish or to negotiate new terms with a different partner. Build a Rocket Boy operates as a development and publishing entity in the games sector; its exact role on MindsEye — whether lead publisher worldwide, regional publisher, or another capacity — is not publicly documented in detail.

Possible reasons for the split are speculative at this stage. Industry observers point to common causes in similar cases: creative differences, shifts in financial terms, changing corporate priorities, or strategic realignments by one or both parties. None of these have been confirmed for MindsEye.

What to watch next

• Official statements from Build a Rocket Boy and IO Interactive clarifying the nature of the split and the next steps for MindsEye.
• Any announcements about a new publishing partner or confirmation that IO Interactive will assume publishing duties.
• Updates to MindsEye's projected release window, platforms and marketing plans.

For now, MindsEye's future publishing arrangements remain in flux. The industry will be watching for an official announcement from either company in the coming days. This publication will continue to monitor the story and will publish verified updates as they become available.

Correction policy: If any detail in this report is incorrect or incomplete, readers and company representatives are invited to contact the newsroom with verifiable information for prompt correction.