Leslie Benzies has Left Build A Rocket Boy
Leslie Benzies, a long-time figure in the gaming world and once one of Rockstar North’s most important personalities, has temporarily left Build A Rocket Boy, the studio he co-founded. This development, confirmed by the studio’s other CEO, Mark Gerhard, is seen as a new turning point for the company, which is already going through a difficult period.
What’s Happening at Build A Rocket Boy?
According to an email shared internally by Mark Gerhard, Leslie Benzies has taken a temporary leave of absence to “rest and recover after a busy period.” However, the noteworthy detail is that Gerhard only signed the message with “CEO.” This raises questions about Benzies’ potential return and the validity of the “temporary” leave.
This departure comes at a very sensitive time for the studio. Build A Rocket Boy’s first game, MindsEye, had a disappointing launch, receiving harsh criticism for technical issues and a lack of content. Post-launch layoffs also caused significant internal turmoil within the studio.
On top of all this, a scandal involving Benzies surfaced. Leslie Benzies categorically denied the accusations, describing the relationship as consensual. Nevertheless, it’s being said that this process negatively impacted both the studio’s internal dynamics and public perception.
Meanwhile, Mark Gerhard suggests that Build A Rocket Boy and MindsEye were subjected to a targeted “sabotage campaign,” possibly involving a multi-million euro plan. Some current and former employees argue that the problem stems more from decisions made by the studio’s upper management than from external factors. Leslie Benzies’ departure has further fueled these debates, and the future of Build A Rocket Boy remains uncertain.
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