Build a Rocket Boy Studio Boss Leslie Benzies Takes "Temporary Leave to Recharge" After MindsEye Work - Media

Build a Rocket Boy studio co-founder and co-leader Leslie Benzies, known for his work at Rockstar North and involvement in the creation of the GTA series, has temporarily stepped away from managing the company. This was announced by the studio's second leader, Mark Gerhard, in an internal letter to employees, the contents of which became known to GamesIndustry journalists.

According to the letter, Benzies has taken "a well-deserved temporary leave to recharge after more than a year of non-stop work". Gerhard emphasized that he would be leading the company forward, signing the message as "Leader" rather than "Co-leader," which raised questions about Benzies's actual status and the duration of his absence.

The studio's debut project, the action game MindsEye, had an unsuccessful launch, followed by waves of layoffs. The situation was exacerbated by the scandal surrounding Leslie Benzies: earlier this month, his name surfaced in the "Epstein files," where he was accused of sexual assault. Benzies has categorically denied the allegations, stating that he had a consensual relationship with the woman who accused him.

According to GamesIndustry, pessimism prevails among current and former Build a Rocket Boy employees. One source stated that they do not believe in the studio's survival and believe that the crisis is caused not by external saboteurs, but by the actions of the leaders themselves — Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies.