An Edinburgh-based video game studio called Build A Rocket Boy, also known as Barb, is in serious trouble and may be forced to close. Founded by Leslie Benzies, a former developer for the popular Grand Theft Auto series, the studio launched its first game, MindsEye, in June 2025. However, the game received widespread criticism from players and critics alike, with some calling it "the worst game of the year." The game's troubled development process was marked by internal chaos and accusations that Benzies, the founder, mismanaged the studio. Now, Barb has entered a legal and financial process known as administration, which could lead to the company being sold or shut down entirely. Barb was founded in 2016, the same year Benzies left Rockstar Games, the company behind Grand Theft Auto, after a dispute over unpaid royalties. Initially, the studio worked on a multiplayer game called Everywhere, set in a futuristic city, but later shifted focus to MindsEye, an action-adventure title. Former employees have described the development of MindsEye as lacking direction, with senior management allegedly ignoring concerns from the team. These issues contributed to the game's poor reception and eventual failure in the market. After the launch of MindsEye, the studio faced significant financial difficulties. Between 250 to 300 employees were laid off, and shortly before the layoffs, Benzies claimed that "internal and external" forces had conspired to hinder the game's release. He vowed to "root out saboteurs" within the company. In a statement, Barb acknowledged that the senior management team, including Benzies, took full responsibility for the game's initial launch, which did not meet the expectations of the gaming community. Despite a series of updates and fixes, the game failed to attract a larger audience, and more layoffs followed. Recent reports suggest that the remaining employees have also been let go. When a company goes into administration, it means it can no longer pay its debts, a situation known as insolvency. During this process, any payments to creditors—people or companies the company owes money—are paused while plans to restructure the business are developed. A qualified administrator, usually from an accounting firm, is appointed to oversee the process. Their main role is to keep the business running, often until a new owner can be found, and to ensure creditors are repaid as much as possible. This is typically done by selling off assets like equipment and furnishings to raise cash. If the company cannot generate any more money, it may be liquidated and shut down entirely. According to Barb’s most recent financial accounts, for the period up to September 2025, the studio reported a loss of £36.2 million and had only £10.5 million in net assets. These figures highlight the severe financial challenges the studio has faced, making its future uncertain as it navigates the administration process.