When IO Interactive first announced its publishing initiative IOI Partners, many in the industry saw it as a bold step for a studio best known for the Hitman series. The idea was simple: support other ambitious developers by helping them distribute their games, leveraging IOI’s experience and brand recognition. The most prominent example of this was their collaboration with Build a Rocket Boy on MindsEye, a title that promised cinematic storytelling and a richly imagined world. 
Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a promising showcase of IOI’s publishing power has instead turned into a cautionary tale.
In a candid interview with IGN, IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak admitted that while the core concepts behind MindsEye were exciting and the setting full of potential, the execution was far from what IOI envisioned. Instead of a successful debut for their publishing arm, the game’s disastrous launch quickly became one of the most infamous failures of the year. Critics described it as underwhelming, unfinished, and plagued by issues ranging from shallow gameplay systems to a lack of polish that made it difficult to enjoy even its strongest narrative beats.
For IOI, the fallout has been severe. The company is now scaling back its publishing ambitions, with Abrak confirming that while IOI will continue to self-publish its own titles – including the much-anticipated 007: First Light – it is unlikely they will publish external projects again in the near future. This marks a retreat from what was once framed as a long-term expansion strategy.
Meanwhile, MindsEye itself has struggled to recover. Developer Build a Rocket Boy has reportedly laid off staff since July, and promised updates have slowed to a trickle. Plans for crossover content with Hitman, which once excited fans, have now been delayed indefinitely. At this point, many doubt such collaborations will ever see release. What’s left is a game available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S – but one that stands as a warning of how fragile high-profile publishing experiments can be when a project stumbles out of the gate.
The broader lesson here is clear: publishing is as much about quality control as it is about distribution. IOI’s attempt to expand its footprint has instead reinforced the importance of focusing on what they do best. With 007: First Light around the corner, fans hope the studio can move past this setback and return to delivering the kind of tightly crafted experiences that made its name in the first place.