Recent Build a Rocket Boy layoffs were reportedly continuation of cuts announced in March
The newest reporting suggests BARB’s May layoffs weren’t a fresh surprise, but the continuation of redundancies first announced in March. Former employee Kirby Lipardo, an IWGB union member, says staff network chatter points to the remaining departures winding down now, after some people were locked out immediately and others kept working for a period.
For developers, the important part is the pattern: repeated cuts, disputed process, and a studio trying to stabilize after a troubled launch. The article says around 170 people were reportedly let go in May, following about 300 UK-based layoffs in July 2025 and earlier March cuts tied to MindsEye’s launch issues. The union is also pursuing legal claims over consultation, fairness, blacklisting, and union detriment, which could become expensive if upheld.
“We have no reason to believe fresh redundancies are taking place at the company.”
- what
- Recent Build a Rocket Boy layoffs were reportedly the continuation of March redundancies, not a new round.
- who
- Former BARB employee and IWGB union member Kirby Lipardo commented to GamesIndustry.biz; CEO Mark Gerhard is also central to the studio's restructuring.
- when
- Update dated May 18, 2026; original layoff report dated May 6, 2026; earlier cuts were announced in March and July 2025.
- impact
- Reportedly about 170 employees were affected in May, with roles including technical level design, audio design, QA, and social media.
More layoffs, legal dispute, and ongoing studio instability.
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