MindsEye CEO Alleges $1 Million Smear Campaign in Leak
Introduction
Generally, I Think The whole controversy surrounding MindsEye, the 2025 open-world game that didnt really do well, just got alot more complicated. Normally, I wouldnt care, But Mark Gerhard, co-CEO of Build a Rocket Boy, said something in a leaked meeting that caught my attention, he claimed a UK media agency spent $1 million on a smear campaign. Apparently, they tried to sabotage the game, and that claim started a big discussion about gaming journalism, influencer culture, and how far companies will go to protect their brand.
The Allegations: A $1 Million Conspiracy?
Obviously, The tape of Gerhard talking about this was obtained by Insider Gaming, and in it, he points to Ritual Network, a YouTube/TikTok agency, saying they led the coordinated smear campaign. Usually, I wouldnt trust these kind of claims, But Gerhard called them “a very big American company” and slammed their staff as “a bunch of gangsters”, which makes me think maybe theres some truth to it. However, public records show Ritual Network is actually based in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, with less than 20 staff and assets worth around £800 k, which is alot less than the $1 million Gerhard mentioned.
The Allegations: A $1 Million Conspiracy?
Sometimes, I Think Gerhard also named Cyber Boi as an influencer who was paid to push the smear campaign, which isnt the first time Gerhard has targeted Cyber Boi, last week he sent a “formal cease and desist demand” on the MindsEye Discord after Boi posted, then deleted, a video tying ex-Rockstar producer Leslie Benzies to the Epstein files, which Benzies denies. Generally, I wouldnt know what to make of this, But Kotaku checked the email on Cyber Boi’s channel and found it linked back to Ritual Network, though the agency says they had nothing to do with any smear campaign.
Legal Threats and Cybersecurity Concerns
Normally, I Would expect Gerhard to be more careful with his words, But in the leak, his tone turned combative, he warned Ritual Network and the influencers they supposedly paid would face “criminal complaints” for espionage, sabotage, and interference, which sounds pretty serious. Also, he bragged about installing Teramind on Build a Rocket Boy staff computers without telling anyone, which raises some big privacy concerns, and makes me wonder if theyre taking things too far.
Turning Drama Into Game Content
Usually, I Wouldnt think a game developer would use real-life drama to fuel new game content, But Gerhard said the drama could actually be used to create new MindsEye content, he joked the names of Ritual Network folks might end up in a spy mission, which sounds kinda crazy. Apparently, he said “Given this happened to us, I’m gonna own this narrative”, and “We will use these people, these names and these facts for our own fun”, which makes me wonder if the dev’s priority is fixing the game or turning real-life drama into a marketing stunt.
Ritual Network Denies Involvement
Generally, I Think Ritual Network would deny any involvement in the smear campaign, and thats exactly what they did, they shot back with a statement to Insider Gaming, saying they “are not involved in the matter” and have “no knowledge of any legitimate legal action” against them, which sounds pretty straightforward. Also, they said they havent seen any proof for Gerhard’s claims, which makes me wonder if Build a Rocket Boy is just trying to deflect attention from the game’s problems.
A Game in Crisis
Obviously, The allegations hit while MindsEye is still struggling, it launched with a sub-50% Steam rating and only about 40 concurrent players, which is pretty bad. Normally, I Would expect the studio to try and fix the game’s broken mechanics, But instead, they tried a “reset” on Feb 4, pitching it as a fresh start, which sounds like a desperate attempt to save the game. Maybe the dev should focus on pouring cash into patches, not lawsuits, which would probably be more effective in the long run.
Conclusion
Sometimes, I Think the whole MindsEye saga has gotten way too complicated, with accusations, legal threats, and PR fights, it’s hard to know what to believe. Generally, I Would say Gerhard’s $1 million smear claim remains unproven, But it shows how cut-throat the gaming world can be, and makes me wonder if MindsEye will ever bounce back, or stay locked as one of 2025’s biggest flops.
