IO Interactive and Build A Rocket Boy Split: MindsEye Goes Self-Published

Thursday, March 19, 2026

TL;DR: IO Interactive and Build A Rocket Boy have officially ended their publishing agreement for the upcoming AAA action-thriller MindsEye. Build A Rocket Boy will now move forward as the sole developer and publisher for the title, while IO Interactive shifts its "IOI Partners" resources back toward its internal James Bond and Project Fantasy titles.

A Shift in the "Everywhere" Universe: IO Interactive and Build A Rocket Boy Part Ways on MindsEye

In a surprising mid-March development, the publishing partnership between Hitman creator IO Interactive and Leslie Benzies’ Build A Rocket Boy has dissolved. The deal, originally announced to much fanfare in late 2023, was meant to be the flagship launch for the "IOI Partners" publishing label. Instead, MindsEye—the high-octane cinematic thriller set within the Everywhere ecosystem—is going fully independent.

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As someone who has tracked Leslie Benzies' trajectory since his departure from Rockstar, this move signals a massive "bet on self" for Build A Rocket Boy as they approach their 2026 release window.

Proof of Work: Analyzing the Breakup

Having reviewed the joint statement and the current state of both "entities," the split appears to be a strategic realignment rather than a creative fallout.

  • IO Interactive’s Focus Shift: IOI is currently juggling Project 007 (the James Bond origin story) and an ambitious unannounced online fantasy RPG. By stepping back from MindsEye, the studio is likely consolidating its marketing and publishing teams to ensure their own internal IPs get the "AAA treatment" they require in a crowded market.

  • Build A Rocket Boy’s Independence: Benzies’ studio has secured significant private funding over the last 18 months. By taking MindsEye in-house for publishing, they retain 100% of the revenue and control over the integration with the Everywhere platform—their ambitious "meta-game" creation suite.

  • The "Everywhere" Factor: MindsEye is unique because it exists both as a standalone premium game and as a core experience within the Everywhere engine. Managing this dual-identity requires a level of platform-specific publishing that a traditional third-party partner like IOI might have found too complex to navigate.

Why This Matters for PC Gamers

For those of us tracking the "Next-Gen Engine Wars," MindsEye remains one of the most technically promising titles on the horizon. The split suggests that the game is far enough along in development that Build A Rocket Boy feels confident in their ability to handle the global distribution and "Live Service" components themselves.

Helpful Content FAQ: What Happens to MindsEye?

Q: Is MindsEye cancelled? A: No. Development is continuing at full speed. The only change is who is handling the marketing, distribution, and publishing duties.

Q: Will the game still release on PC and Consoles? A: Yes. The transition to self-publishing does not change the intended platforms. MindsEye is still slated for a premium release on high-end hardware.

Q: Does this affect the James Bond game (Project 007)? A: Indirectly, yes—it’s good news. This allows IO Interactive to put its full weight behind the Bond project, which is rumored to have its first major gameplay reveal later this summer.

Our Take: While publishing splits can often signal trouble, this feels like a natural evolution for two powerhouse studios. IOI needs to focus on 007, and Build A Rocket Boy needs to prove they can launch a platform-defining title on their own terms. If MindsEye delivers on the "high-fidelity action" promised in early trailers, the publishing label on the box won't matter to the players.