Sony is offering refunds to PlayStation 5 players who purchased MindEye, following a problematic launch marked by numerous technical issues and widespread player complaints. This decision is notable, as PlayStation rarely grants refunds for digital games, especially after they have been downloaded and played.
MindsEye, a third-person shooter developed by Build a Rocket Boy, launched on June 10, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Almost immediately, players began reporting severe performance problems.
These included frequent crashes, poor optimisation, and frame rates dropping below 30 frames per second—even on the more powerful PS5 Pro model, despite the game being capped at 30 FPS.
Many users also encountered bugs, glitches and broken AI behaviour. Videos and screenshots of these issues quickly spread across social media and gaming forums, leading to a surge in refund requests.
PlayStation’s refund policy is typically strict. Refunds are rarely given once a game has been downloaded and played, unless the title is considered nearly unplayable. The last major exception was Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020, which was eventually removed from the PlayStation Store due to its disastrous launch. MindsEye’s situation has drawn direct comparisons to that incident.
Players who contacted PlayStation Support reported that Sony was “aware of this game’s optimisation” and was investigating the situation. As a result, many users received refunds, with some even sharing their refund confirmations online.
Build a Rocky Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, responded quickly to the backlash. The developer issued a public apology, stating they were “heartbroken” that players could not experience the game as intended. They explained that memory leaks were responsible for most of the crashes, affecting about 1 in 10 players.
The studio promised a “hotfix” to address the most critical issues. This update is expected to roll out for PC first and for consoles like the PS5 once it passes certification. The developers also pledged to provide frequent updates and to respond to player feedback as they work to stabilise the game.
The poor launch has led to low player numbers and negative reviews, especially on Steam, where the game currently holds a mixed rating. Some sponsored livestreams were also cancelled at the last minute, further highlighting the troubled release.
While there is no indication that MindsEye will be removed from sale, as happened with Cyberpunk 2077, the situation has been damaging for both the developer and the publisher. The studio remains hopeful that upcoming patches will restore player confidence and improve the game’s reputation.
For now, Sony’s decision to allow refunds stands as a rare move, underscoring the severity of MindsEye’s launch problems and the company’s response to player dissatisfaction.
