The recent launch of MindsEye has left IO Interactive’s future in game publishing hanging in the balance. Following a disastrous reception marked by technical issues and a dismal Metacritic score, the company’s CEO, Hakan Abrak, expressed uncertainty about continuing to publish games from other studios under the IOI Partners label. This situation raises critical questions about the risks involved in game publishing, especially for independent developers. IO Interactive, known for its successful Hitman franchise, took a bold step in 2024 by launching IOI Partners to support other developers.