IO Interactive Reconsiders Third-Party Publishing After MindsEye's Poor Reception
The recent launch of the action game MindsEye proved to be a significant disappointment, not only for its developers, Build A Rocket Boy, but also for IO Interactive. The studio, known for the Hitman series, ventured into third-party publishing with MindsEye, and its first experience has been so negative that it might also be its last, according to CEO Hakan Abrak.
In a recent interview with IGN, Abrak clarified that MindsEye showed promise during its development stages. "When we first spoke to these guys [Build A Rocket Boy], it was about supporting them. We thought they had great ideas and a world they were building, and hopefully, they would get an opportunity to prove themselves. We just wanted to help them with the distribution of the game," Abrak explained.
However, Abrak openly admitted that MindsEye's launch was far from smooth. He expressed hope that Build A Rocket Boy would eventually redeem itself in the eyes of players. "Well, it was very tough, wasn't it? The reception of the game was tough. They didn't expect that, and we at IOI Partners didn't expect that either. They are working hard to turn things around and regain the trust of gamers, and they have huge potential and a lot of content in development. I hope they succeed," he stated.
When questioned about IO Interactive's future as a publisher, Abrak confirmed that the company would continue to publish its own titles, such as the upcoming 007 First Light. Regarding collaborations with external teams, his response was brief and seemingly lacked enthusiasm: "Time will tell."
This outcome highlights the challenges and risks involved for game developers expanding into publishing roles. While IO Interactive remains committed to its own projects, the experience with MindsEye has clearly prompted a reassessment of its strategy for supporting other studios. Players will now be watching to see if Build A Rocket Boy can indeed turn MindsEye around and if IO Interactive will ever give third-party publishing another shot.
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