The Edinburgh-based video game developer <a href="https://delimiter.online/blog/Mindseye-publishing-agreement/” title=”Build a Rocket Boy”>Build a Rocket Boy has concluded its publishing agreement with IO Interactive‘s external publishing arm, IOI Partners. The company’s chief executive, Mark Gerhard, confirmed the termination, emphasizing the studio’s preference for maintaining independent control over its projects and future.
Statement from Leadership
In a statement addressing the conclusion of the partnership, Build a Rocket Boy CEO Mark Gerhard framed the move as a strategic decision aligned with the studio’s core philosophy. He stated that the company values its autonomy and “likes being able to control [its] own destiny as an independent studio.” The statement did not provide specific reasons for ending the agreement beyond this principle of self-determination.
Background on the Partnership and Projects
IOI Partners, the third-party publishing division of Hitman developer IO Interactive, had entered into a publishing agreement with Build a Rocket Boy for its upcoming title, “Mindseye.” The game is a highly anticipated, ambitious project from a studio founded by former Rockstar North veterans, including Leslie Benzies. The dissolution of this publishing deal places the future marketing and distribution plans for “Mindseye” solely under the purview of Build a Rocket Boy.
The studio is also concurrently developing another major title, “Everywhere,” an open-world experience platform. The company has previously secured significant funding, including a $110 million investment round in late 2023, to support the development of both projects without reliance on traditional publisher funding models.
Implications for Studio Independence
This move underscores a growing trend within the video game industry where well-funded developers, particularly those led by industry veterans, choose to forgo traditional publishing deals to retain full creative and commercial control. By self-publishing, studios maintain authority over release schedules, monetization strategies, and intellectual property rights, though they also assume all associated financial risks and operational burdens typically managed by a publisher.
For Build a Rocket Boy, the exit from the IOI Partners agreement consolidates its position as a fully independent entity. The studio’s substantial private funding appears to provide the financial runway necessary to execute this strategy for its flagship games.
Next Steps and Industry Context
With the publishing agreement now ended, attention turns to how Build a Rocket Boy will manage the launch and ongoing support for “Mindseye.” The studio will need to establish or expand its internal departments for marketing, distribution, localization, and live-service operations, functions traditionally handled by a publishing partner.
Industry observers will monitor the studio’s ability to navigate these complexities while continuing development on two major projects. The next official updates on the development status or release windows for “Mindseye” and “Everywhere” are expected to come directly from Build a Rocket Boy, as the company fully assumes control of its public communications and commercial strategy.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
