MindsEye‘s publisher, Build A Rocket Boy, is still paying content creators to stream the game despite mass layoffs and Steam player counts that have dropped to single digits.
The game continues to receive patches and sponsor creators weeks after reports emerged of significant layoffs at the studio. Multiple creators have been spotted running sponsored MindsEye segments such as Criken2, complete with required sponsorship disclosures.
The continued marketing spend likely comes down to contracts. Influencer sponsorship deals are typically signed weeks or months in advance with specific deliverables. Breaking these agreements can trigger kill fees or legal disputes that cost more than just running the campaign as planned.
Marketing budgets are also frequently managed separately from development budgets. Even when studios reduce headcount, promotional spending controlled by publishers or external agencies continues because the funds are already allocated and the campaign calendar is locked in.
Post-launch patching can persist even during downturns for several reasons. Studios may need to address critical bugs to reduce refunds, meet platform requirements, or preserve publisher relationships for potential future sales events.
