🧠 MindsEye Dev Claims “People Were Paid to Be Negative” About the Game

The war over public perception has entered a new dimension.

In a bold statement that’s sending shockwaves through the gaming industry, the CEO of Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind the newly released open-world title MindsEye, has alleged that certain influencers and media outlets were “paid to be negative” about the game.

The claim came during a livestream Q&A earlier this week, as community frustration grew over the game’s mixed launch reception and divisive review scores.

📉 What Happened?

MindsEye, the cinematic open-world shooter embedded within the studio’s larger Everywhere platform, launched with huge expectations. Built by former Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies, the game was pitched as a genre-blending experience with high production value and experimental storytelling.

But despite the hype, MindsEye received lukewarm to negative reviews, with critiques focused on:

• Inconsistent performance

• Shallow mission design

• Lack of polish in key areas

• Narrative elements feeling disjointed

While some praised its ambition and visuals, others labeled it as “unfinished” or “style over substance.”

🎙️ The CEO's Statement

Leslie Benzies, in a surprise appearance on the studio’s community stream, didn’t hold back:

“Let’s be honest—some of the backlash we’ve seen wasn’t organic. There were creators who were paid to tear MindsEye down. That’s the reality of this space now, and we’re not afraid to call it out.”

While Benzies didn’t name specific outlets or individuals, the comment immediately sparked a wave of online speculation, with some creators clapping back and others supporting the idea that industry sabotage and console war bias may have influenced reception.

⚖️ Community Reaction

The gaming community remains divided. Some fans and industry vets believe Benzies is deflecting blame:

“You can’t claim sabotage every time people don’t like your game,” one Reddit user noted.

Others agree with his stance, citing a growing concern around manufactured criticism, especially from “console warriors” and sponsored influencers looking to generate engagement through outrage.

Meanwhile, Build A Rocket Boy has doubled down on post-launch support, promising performance patches, gameplay tweaks, and deeper integration within the Everywhere ecosystem.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Allegations of paid negativity aren’t new—but when they come from a veteran like Benzies, they land differently. Whether it’s defensive PR or a glimpse into a darker side of game media, one thing is certain: MindsEye has become a lightning rod for the ongoing debate about transparency, influencer culture, and trust in the review process.

Stay tuned to NoFallDamage.net for updates on MindsEye, patch notes, developer responses, and the future of Everywhere.

#MindsEye #BuildARocketBoy #LeslieBenzies #GamingControversy #ReviewCulture #NoFallDamage