Leslie Benzies Temporarily Steps Away from Build a Rocket Boy Amid MindsEye’s Ambitious Goals

• February 10, 2026

Leslie Benzies, former president of Rockstar North and well-known producer behind the Grand Theft Auto series, has announced a temporary departure from the studio he founded, Build a Rocket Boy (BARB). The studio gained public attention primarily through its recent release, MindsEye, an adventure-action game that received a lukewarm reception.

Challenges and New Directions

Build a Rocket Boy and MindsEye’s parent company are currently navigating the repercussions of the game’s underperformance. Despite these challenges, the leadership team at MindsEye remains optimistic about the studio’s future. Their ambitions include pursuing a development and release trajectory reminiscent of Cyberpunk 2077’s post-launch recovery and eventual success.

MindsEye’s struggles come amid high expectations given Benzies’ prominent background in the gaming industry. While details regarding his hiatus and potential return remain undisclosed, the temporary exit injects a period of uncertainty for the studio’s ongoing projects and strategic approach.

The company’s executives have indicated that they intend to learn from MindsEye’s initial setbacks by refining development processes and expanding their focus beyond immediate failures. The goal is to follow a roadmap similar to that of Cyberpunk 2077, which experienced a problematic launch but ultimately evolved through dedicated patches, community engagement, and expanded content.

Build a Rocket Boy’s experience underscores the volatility and high stakes involved in modern game development, where even studios led by industry veterans face significant challenges when delivering ambitious new IPs. The situation also highlights the resilience required to pivot after early criticism and the potential for long-term growth despite short-term disappointments.

As the industry watches closely, the fate of Build a Rocket Boy and MindsEye will serve as a case study on managing post-launch adversity and the importance of leadership during pivotal phases of a game studio’s lifecycle.

Former GTA producer Leslie Benzies steps back from Build a Rocket Boy as MindsEye aims to emulate Cyberpunk 2077’s success despite recent setbacks.