The IO Interactive MindsEye disaster has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, and now the Hitman developer’s CEO is speaking out about how badly things went wrong. In a candid interview at Gamescom, IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak admitted that the catastrophic launch has forced the company to completely rethink its publishing strategy.
What Exactly Happened with MindsEye?
MindsEye wasn’t just a bad game launch – it was a complete catastrophe that reminded everyone of Cyberpunk 2077’s disastrous debut. Developed by Build a Rocket Boy (led by former Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies), the game was supposed to be IO Interactive’s first major external publishing venture under their new IOI Partners label.
Instead, MindsEye became 2025’s most significant gaming disaster. The game scored a brutal 37 on Metacritic for PC and an even worse 28 on PS5. Within weeks, copies were found in bargain bins, and by six weeks post-launch, Steam player numbers had dropped to single digits.
IO Interactive CEO’s Honest Assessment
When asked about the MindsEye disaster, Abrak didn’t mince words: “That was definitely tough, right? It was a tough reception. It wasn’t what they hoped for, and also what we didn’t hope for at IOI Partners.”
The CEO explained that IO Interactive got involved because they believed in Build a Rocket Boy’s vision. “We thought they had some great ideas and a great world in the background that they were building, and hopefully they’ll get the opportunity to show more of that in the future. And we just wanted to help them distribute the game.”
But the most telling moment came when Abrak was asked directly about IO Interactive’s future publishing plans for external studios. His response was brutally honest: “IO Interactive will publish our own games internally. IOI Partners? That remains to be seen.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie
To understand just how damaging this disaster was for IO Interactive’s reputation, consider these facts:
- IO Interactive hasn’t released a game scoring lower than 70 on Metacritic since early 2013
- The company holds an average career score of 78 on Metacritic
- Their lowest-ever score was Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days with 62
- MindsEye scored 37 – nearly half their previous worst score
- The game dropped to single-digit player counts on Steam within six weeks
What This Means for IOI Partners
IOI Partners was launched in 2024 as IO Interactive’s answer to becoming a broader publisher. The idea was to support other developers while leveraging IO Interactive’s strong reputation and publishing expertise. MindsEye was meant to be their flagship launch.
Instead, the IO Interactive MindsEye disaster has become a cautionary tale about the risks of external publishing. The company built its reputation on quality titles like the modern Hitman trilogy, and associating their name with such a poorly received game clearly stung.
Build a Rocket Boy’s Response and Controversy
Making matters worse, Build a Rocket Boy’s leadership made controversial statements before launch. Co-CEO Mark Gerhard claimed there was a “concerted effort” to “trash the game and the studio” and suggested people were being paid to post negative comments.
IO Interactive’s CEO diplomatically distanced the company from these claims, stating: “I don’t know. I don’t believe that. I don’t believe that. I just think the game should speak for itself.”
The developer even canceled sponsored streams at the last minute when streamers began showcasing the game’s numerous technical issues and bugs.
What’s Next for IO Interactive
While the IOI Partners future remains uncertain, IO Interactive continues focusing on their core strengths. Their upcoming 007: First Light game launches March 27, 2026, and expectations are much higher given the company’s track record with their internally developed titles.
Abrak was quick to reassure fans that “nothing would change regarding IOI’s internal publishing,” but the external publishing venture clearly needs serious reconsideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was MindsEye and why did it fail so badly?
MindsEye was an action game developed by Build a Rocket Boy and published by IO Interactive through IOI Partners. It failed due to numerous technical issues, bugs, poor gameplay, and a lack of review copies being sent to media before launch, resulting in a Metacritic score of just 37.
Will IO Interactive continue publishing games from other studios?
According to CEO Hakan Abrak, the future of IOI Partners is uncertain. He stated that while IO Interactive will continue publishing their own games internally, “IOI Partners? That remains to be seen.”
How bad was MindsEye’s reception compared to other IO Interactive games?
MindsEye scored 37 on Metacritic, which is nearly half of IO Interactive’s previous lowest score of 62. The company typically maintains scores above 70 and has an average career score of 78.
Did the controversy around Build a Rocket Boy’s statements affect IO Interactive?
Yes, Build a Rocket Boy’s claims about a “concerted effort” to trash the game likely added to the negative publicity. IO Interactive’s CEO distanced the company from these statements, saying he didn’t believe such claims.
What is IO Interactive’s next major release?
IO Interactive’s next big game is 007: First Light, scheduled for release on March 27, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC. This will be published internally, not through IOI Partners.
How quickly did MindsEye lose its player base?
MindsEye’s player base collapsed rapidly – within six weeks of launch, Steam player numbers had dropped to single digits. Copies were found in bargain bins less than a week after release.
Conclusion
The IO Interactive MindsEye disaster serves as a stark reminder that even established publishers can stumble when venturing into new territory. What was meant to be the beginning of IO Interactive’s expansion into external publishing has instead become a costly lesson about the importance of quality control and partner selection.
While IO Interactive’s core business remains strong with upcoming titles like 007: First Light, the MindsEye debacle has clearly shaken their confidence in publishing external projects. Whether IOI Partners will continue remains genuinely uncertain, but one thing is clear – IO Interactive won’t rush into any similar partnerships without serious reconsideration of their approach.