r/Games: IO Interactive Exits MindsEye Publishing as Build A Rocket Boy Takes Sole Control

Publishing control shifts fully to Build A Rocket Boy

A March 17, 2026 press release from IOI Partners and Build A Rocket Boy says their publishing collaboration on MindsEye has ended, effective March 16, 2026. Going forward, Build A Rocket Boy will take sole publishing responsibility for the project.

The companies said IOI Partners' role is now limited to essential transition work needed to move publisher-of-record status. In practical terms, that means the publishing relationship is over, but the two sides are still coordinating handoff tasks over the coming weeks.

What changes for the announced Hitman crossover

The clearest player-facing consequence is the cancellation of the Hitman mission that had been announced in June 2025 as a crossover event inside MindsEye. The press release says that mission will no longer be released as part of the separation.

That matters because the crossover had served as one of the most recognizable signs of the original arrangement between IO Interactive and Build A Rocket Boy. With the partnership ending, the highest-profile shared content plan is ending with it.

What the companies are saying now

The statement frames the move as a continuity transition rather than a shutdown. Build A Rocket Boy says it will continue to lead publishing and keep serving the MindsEye community and partners, while both sides say they are working toward a smooth handoff. The same release also says BARB still plans to work with partners on other projects in the future.

For players, the near-term signal is clear: future MindsEye communication now flows directly through Build A Rocket Boy channels rather than through IOI Partners. That shifts both responsibility and expectations around marketing, support routing, and any future collaboration announcements.

Why this is a meaningful studio move

Publishing changes matter even when a game itself remains active, because they affect who owns the launch roadmap, outside partnerships, and long-tail support decisions. In this case the partnership did not merely narrow; it formally ended, and one of the headline crossover plans disappeared with it. That makes this more than a branding adjustment.

The r/Games thread reached 1,145 points and 123 comments at crawl time, showing that players treated the update as a notable studio and publishing shift rather than routine backend paperwork.

Sources: IOI Partners / Build A Rocket Boy press release · Reddit discussion