The IWGB union disputes reports of fresh layoffs at MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy, claiming recent staff departures stem from cuts already announced in March rather than new redundancies. IWGB member and former Build a Rocket Boy employee Kirby Lipardo stated the union has "no reason to believe fresh redundancies are taking place" based on conversations with current and past staff across the studio.
Lipardo's statement clarifies the timeline of the studio's workforce reductions. The March layoffs saw employees locked out of work accounts on the day of termination, establishing a pattern consistent with what the union now observes. This distinction matters for understanding the true state of Build a Rocket Boy's operations and employee stability.
The clarification arrives as the studio navigates ongoing turbulence. Build a Rocket Boy, owned by MindsEye studio, has faced repeated workforce challenges that the union characterizes as creating "rumours, chaos and job losses" within the company culture. The March announcement already signaled serious financial or operational pressures, and the union's emphasis on distinguishing between continuation of those cuts versus entirely new redundancies suggests management communication issues persist.
The IWGB's strong internal network of current and former employees at Build a Rocket Boy provides direct insight into departmental changes that media reports might mischaracterize or mistime. This union coordination highlights how industry layoffs often lack transparent communication, forcing workers to piece together what actually happened versus what the company officially states.
For Build a Rocket Boy specifically, the distinction between ongoing March cuts and fresh redundancies carries weight for remaining staff evaluating job security. The studio's reputation for sudden departures and account lockouts signals organizational instability regardless of whether new cuts are occurring. The IWGB's involvement underscores how unions monitor studio practices during turbulent periods, particularly when companies handle terminations abruptly.