Studio Behind GTA-Like PlayStation 5 Game Shuts Down

playstationlifestyle.net Sep 17, 2026

Studio Behind GTA-Like PlayStation 5 Game Shuts Down

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 17, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Build a Rocket Boy, the independent studio behind the PlayStation 5 open‑world title MindsEye, announced it is winding down operations after a series of layoffs and allegations of unlawful employee monitoring. Owned by industry veterans Leslie Benzies and Mark Gerhard, the studio saw multiple staff members post farewell messages on LinkedIn within a 24‑hour span, including a level designer, QA analysts, and a release manager. Lead talent‑acquisition partner Dan Hawkins confirmed the current roster will be the final workforce, indicating no further hiring or continuation of projects. The closure also intensifies an ongoing dispute with the IWGB Games Workers Union, which has pledged to pursue accountability for the studio’s treatment of its staff.

💡 Why It Matters

· The shutdown underscores how even high‑profile indie developers can crumble under labor disputes and management practices, reshaping expectations for workplace standards in the gaming sector.

Capsules Gaming

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Hot Wheels Infinite Rush Review

Milestone’s Hot Wheels Infinite Rush attempts a Burnout‑inspired overhaul but falls short of its predecessors. The title features four modest maps that lack the expansive, themed environments of the Unleashed series, and its photorealistic cars remain pristine, missing the wear that added realism. With only about a third of its 150‑car roster new, the game skews toward recent models, underrepresenting classic decades and pop‑culture vehicles. The simplified four‑class system offers limited depth compared to earlier releases, making the experience feel basic and bland.

💡 The shift toward a cleaner aesthetic and reduced car variety signals a strategic pivot that could alienate long‑time fans seeking nostalgic depth. This change may influence future licensed titles to prioritize contemporary appeal over heritage.

gamesradar.com · Sep 17

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is getting an infamous gacha gun from one…

A day‑one patch for Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave on Nintendo Switch 2 adds a gacha‑derived weapon, the Summoner’s Breidablik, alongside other collab arms from Fire Emblem Shadows and Heroes. Players can acquire the Breidablik, Alfonse’s Chosen Sword, and Fjorm’s Chosen Lance by progressing the story and visiting Dagsion. The weapon’s animation mimics the summoning effect from Heroes, but the game does not support actual gacha mechanics or character‑projectile gameplay. The update expands the roster of unique weapons in the new strategy RPG.

💡 The patch bridges the console and mobile franchises, offering fans a tangible link between Fortune’s Weave and the broader Fire Emblem universe. It demonstrates Nintendo’s strategy of cross‑platform synergy, potentially boosting engagement across titles.

playstationlifestyle.net · Sep 17

PlayStation Store Drops Gorgeous Open World PS5 RPG for Free

The PlayStation Store has released Aniimo, a free-to-play open‑world RPG for PS5, after its initial announcement for Xbox and PC and confirmation of a PS5 version in March 2026. The game, which centers on the continent of Idyll and its collectible creatures called Aniimo, lets players “Twine” with captured beings to assume their abilities, solve puzzles, and engage in combat. Within a day of launch, Aniimo has earned a 4.27‑out of‑5 rating from nearly 2,000 user reviews on the storefront, indicating strong early reception. While PS Plus Premium members can stream the title via cloud, the game is fully accessible without a subscription. A launch trailer accompanies the release, showcasing the title’s visual design and gameplay mechanics.

💡 Aniimo’s free launch and immediate positive reception demonstrate Sony’s strategy to attract new players to the PS5 ecosystem through high‑quality, no‑cost experiences.

windowscentral.com · Sep 17

Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember’s release date is revealed, with a…

Koei Tecmo unveiled a new trailer confirming that its action‑soulslike Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember will launch on March 4, 2027 for Xbox Series X|S (including Xbox Play Anywhere and Game Pass), Xbox PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam. A free Alpha demo is now available on all platforms except Switch 2 and will run until September 30, 2026; completing it rewards players with a Fledgling Phoenix Helmet usable in the full game. The sequel expands the dark‑fantasy Three Kingdoms setting of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty with additional weapons, magic, techniques and tougher bosses. Pre‑orders open for a standard edition and a Digital Deluxe Edition that adds a season pass for two DLC expansions, exclusive armor sets, a digital soundtrack and artbook for collectors and enthusiasts today.

💡 The limited‑time demo secures early community engagement and feedback, sharpening the game’s polish while building sustained hype ahead of its 2027 release.

eurogamer.net · Sep 17

Hideo Kojima confirms Bill Skarsgård is Physint’s lead actor, gives production update…

Hideo Kojima appeared on the Xbox‑hosted Tokyo Game Show 2026 broadcast to update fans on two upcoming titles, OD‑Knock and Physint, now both published by Xbox after Sony withdrew from Physint citing budget, profitability and exclusivity concerns. Kojima said he recently met Xbox executive Asha Sharma in Redmond to discuss shared goals for future digital entertainment. He confirmed OD‑Knock, a horror experience designed to “test the thresholds of fear,” remains on schedule despite a pause in performance capture and ADR caused by the SAG‑AFTRA strike, and praised the work of Sofia Lillis, Hunter Schafer and the rest of the cast. For Physint, Kojima revealed that Bill Skarsgård will star alongside Charlee Fraser, Don Lee and Minami Hamabe, unveiling new key art from a personal photoshoot. The game is still several years from release, with Kojima hinting it could anchor Xbox’s unrevealed Project Helix franchise.

💡 Securing a high‑profile horror icon like Skarsgård signals Xbox’s intent to build a flagship exclusive that could redefine its next‑generation portfolio.

pcgamer.com · Sep 17

GTA 5’s ‘Become a celebrity’ mod is almost weirdly fully featured

A GTA 5 mod called “Become a Celebrity” lets players build fame through repetitive busking gigs and later meet‑and‑greet events. The mod tracks public approval and fame separately, rewarding players with money and small fame points for each performance. Players must perform 20 busking gigs across Los Santos, each earning about $500 and 0.5 fame points, before unlocking higher‑tier gigs. The mod’s creator also developed the LifeInvader Business Mod. Despite the effort, in‑game characters rarely react to the player’s performances, highlighting the mod’s quirky realism.

💡 The mod demonstrates how community‑driven content can expand a game’s narrative depth, offering new gameplay loops that challenge players to engage with the virtual world in unconventional ways.