Joystiq

Report: BioWare San Francisco closes, up to 30 staffers laid off

Mike Schramm — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST

According to a report on GamesRadar, BioWare San Francisco - the studio formerly known as EA2D and responsible for titles like Dragon Age Legends and Mirror's Edge 2D - has been closed by EA, leaving between 25 to 30 employees jobless. Citing a source inside the studio, the report suggests EA felt it was "too expensive" to make mobile games in Redwood Shores, CA.

Joystiq has followed up with EA to check the veracity of this claim. Dragon Age Legends' servers were shut off last year, but the developers at BioWare San Francisco were kind enough to make an offline version available for fans to continue to play.

Report: BioWare San Francisco closes, up to 30 staffers laid off originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA expands European customer service, 300 jobs created in Ireland

Sinan Kubba — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST

EA is expanding its European Customer Experience Center, with 300 new jobs created for the facility based in Galway, Ireland. The announcement comes nearly a year after EA first opened its Irish studio, then dubbed 'BioWare Ireland'.

EA says the expansion allows its European center to deliver multilingual support, and to provide customer service across its major titles. Earlier this year, EA opened its Worldwide Customer Experience center in Austin, Texas.

Continue reading EA expands European customer service, 300 jobs created in Ireland

EA expands European customer service, 300 jobs created in Ireland originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft hosting mixer for former OnLive employees

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 19:30:00 EST

Microsoft will be throwing an industry mixer for the 50-ish percent of OnLive workers affected by the streaming company's recent restructuring madness this Monday, August 27, at its campus in Silicon Valley. Hiring managers will be on site, scouting for Xbox-oriented positions at Microsoft's offices in Mountain View, CA and Redmond, WA.

"We are eager to speak to individuals and teams affected by the OnLive transition," reads the event's public invitation. "We are looking to add key players who want to make a real impact in creating groundbreaking new products and services."

Whether this is indicative of an expanded streaming presence in Microsoft's future is anyone's guess; it could simply be an example of the tech industry taking care of its own. An Xbox Kinect bundle will also be raffled off during the event, though we assume those attending will be more interested in finding gainful employment than winning a door prize.

Microsoft hosting mixer for former OnLive employees originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA Canada creating a new action franchise, job listing suggests

David Hinkle — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 05:30:00 EST

EA Canada, whose last shipped product was this year's SSX reboot, is looking for somebody to help out on a new franchise, according to a job listing for a lead gameplay designer. "This is a major opportunity to lead the gameplay of an exciting new intellectual property that will entertain millions of people around the world," the listing reads.

Some of the wording also suggests this new IP is either a shooter or an action game - likely both. Either way, it's a game with a heavy online component: EA is looking for somebody with a "proven track record of designing and balancing combat, player controls, and AI for AAA shooters or action games," and who has a "deep knowledge of the action/shooter game genre." This person must "drive the player progression experience to ensure a deep and addictive persistent online experience."

With E3 going on this week, it wouldn't be a bad bet to say we'll hear more during the show; however, some of the wording suggests that this project hasn't gotten too far off the ground yet and might be too early off for an announcement. EA is still looking for someone to "plan and define all components of the game, including its setting, structure, rules, story flow, characters, objects, vehicles, interface design and game modes."

EA Canada creating a new action franchise, job listing suggests originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Industry rallies to get former 38 Studios, Big Huge Games staff new work

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:45:00 EST

The sudden firing of all 379 employees at 38 Studios and Big Huge Games today was a blow to the industry, even for those of us who expected it. Soon after news broke, many developers, artists, designers, PR people, journalists and fans took to the Internet to express frustration and anger -- and to help.

On Twitter, the hashtag "#38jobs" rose to trending in the US, with people shouting out which studios were hiring and generally sending support to those let go today. A Facebook group titled "38Jobs" popped up around the same time. Freelance games journo Alex Rubens gathered all of these jobs tips into a Google Doc that currently sports 84 studios with openings, including Irrational Games, Bungie, Activision, Klei Entertainment, Rockstar and other major and indie companies.

Access the full list here; it is still in the process of being updated and refined, courtesy of Rubens and The Side Of The Gaming Industry That Proves We're Not All Trolling Douchebags.

Industry rallies to get former 38 Studios, Big Huge Games staff new work originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CD Projekt Red hiring for RPG in a 'brand new setting'

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:00:00 EST

CD Projekt Red, the makers of The Witcher and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, has posted a boat-load of job openings for an unannounced "RPG in a brand new setting" over on its official blog. "We're looking for people who would rather work on an entirely new and different IP," reads the listing, "a vast RPG for which we want to assemble the best possible staff. It represents an opportunity for you to create a grand new project from the ground up!"

The listing also makes reference to the developer's existing "mature dark-fantasy world," distinguishing this new project as likely separate from The Witcher (at least in location), and as one for those who "can't stomach dwarves, elves or sorceresses who put their ample charms on display in Playboy magazine."

If you're an artist, programmer or designer looking for work in Poland, give it a shot! There's never any harm in trying. Well, unless you're trying to teach synchronized swimming to an uncooperative bear - there's probably a lot of harm in that.

CD Projekt Red hiring for RPG in a 'brand new setting' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Harmonix prepping 'unique motion-gaming IP' ... with storylines

David Hinkle — Thu, 03 May 2012 22:15:00 EST

We thought Harmonix had its hands full with Rock Band Blitz, but the Cambridge-based developer may also be preparing a new IP - and for the next generation of consoles. According to several different job listings, the developer is looking for narrative, content and level designers, and one software engineer to help out with "a unique motion-gaming IP."

"Harmonix seeks an accomplished Narrative Designer to incorporate creative story lines into gameplay on a unique motion-gaming IP," reads just one of the positions discovered by Supererogatory. This particular gig is a 12-month contract position, while the others make mention of a "music-based motion-gaming IP" and seem to be for more established positions.

A narrative-driven, rhythm-based motion game? Sounds a lot like one of our favorite games ever. [Wait, surely you meant this? - Ed.]

Rumor: Harmonix prepping 'unique motion-gaming IP' ... with storylines originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 May 2012 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Molyneux: Over 1,000 applicants for work at 22 Cans

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST

Peter Molyneux, the prolific game designer responsible for Populous, Black & White, Fable and other household names recently left his "creative padded cell" at Microsoft and Lionhead Studios to found 22 Cans - a development house which Molyneux believes will create his greatest game to date.

Creating the best game of your carrer requires a little help, though, which is why Molyneux is in the process of filling the vacancies at 22 Cans. Unsurprisingly, there have been quite a few more applicants than available positions: "We've had just over 1,000 people apply for jobs at 22 Cans. That's pretty damn exciting. I'm working 16 hours-a-day just answering those emails," Molyneux said during an interview with Giant Bomb.

Don't get the wrong idea, Molyneux isn't complaining about his daily time investment. In fact, the designer sounds thrilled by the prospect of extensive hands-on work with a smaller team after his time at Microsoft/Lionhead.

"The first thing I did was clear out my diary of all reoccuring meetings that just happen as part of running a company of 200 people, and being part of Microsoft. I realized that 75% of my day was just doing nothing," he said. "Now, doing everything from answering emails to doing press stuff, to going and talking at universities and designing the games, it just feels fantastic to be that hands-on, it really does."

If you want to be part of that 1,000-plus pool of potential applicants, check out 22 Can's jobs site for more information about the six positions that remain open as of press time.

Molyneux: Over 1,000 applicants for work at 22 Cans originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Neversoft hiring for FPS, according to job listings

David Hinkle — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:45:00 EST

It would seem Neversoft is currently developing a first-person-shooter. The longtime Tony Hawk Pro Skater and Guitar Hero developer is currently recruiting a variety of positions that specify "FPS" in the title. Could the project for which it's hiring be the same "action shooter" we heard about last year?

Neversoft's job listings page calls for engineers, designers, artists, network programmers, multiplayer experts, and even a Windows PC platform lead. Since Neversoft is hiring for so many positions, we're inclined to think that this project is still fairly early in development.

Neversoft hiring for FPS, according to job listings originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LucasArts hiring for FPS, aerial combat, action/adventure games

David Hinkle — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:25:00 EST

On top of last month's outed job listing for an open-world RPG, LucasArts is now hiring for a first-person shooter, an aerial combat game and an action/adventure game. GameSpot noticed the listings, which call for a level designer for a FPS title, a senior gameplay engineer for the aerial combat game and a producer for an action/adventure title. LucasArts sure seems busy these days!

The aerial combat game seems like a no-brainer -- LucasArts has a stable of Star Wars aerial combat games it could pull from, so that's our guess considering the position emphasizes a familiarity with "space-based shooters." The other two require even more speculation ... and we certainly wouldn't mind seeing another Republic Commando game.

LucasArts hiring for FPS, aerial combat, action/adventure games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Epic hiring for 'new unannounced IP'

Jordan Mallory — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST

If you're an experienced gameplay programmer with strong C++ skills and a history with Unreal Engine, Epic wants you to work on Gears of War 3. They also want to tease the entire human population of the universe by mentioning a "new unannounced IP" in the same want-ad, which could be literally anything.

The possibilities are endless; that's why a secret new IP is always such an exciting thing. Without an existing universe restricting their creativity, Epic's designers are free to follow their whimsy. If we may be so bold as to make a suggestion, Epic, how about a point-and-click rhythm-adventure game set in an alternate future-history, where mathletes compete in life-or-death tournaments to decide the fate of nations? Or, alternatively, a twin-stick puzzle-racer about an army of genetically engineered Marmadukes?

Epic hiring for 'new unannounced IP' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Santa Monica hiring devs with open world and shooter experience

Mike Schramm — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:50:00 EST

God of War developer Sony Santa Monica has posted two new job listings, one for a Level Designer that specifically asks for experience with "'open world' games," and another for a Senior Combat Designer that mentions both first- and third-person shooters, as well as "experience working with, developing or designing vehicle combat."

That's all in addition to the job listing posted at the studio last month, which had the team looking for a Senior Online Programmer with lots of experience developing social tools. So we're not sure just what they're working on over in Santa Monica -- we drove by there the other day to try and sneak a peek, but all we heard coming out of the doors was a few band saws and loud hammering. It could be anything!

Sony Santa Monica hiring devs with open world and shooter experience originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop porting game-streaming Spawn Player to Android devices

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST

GameStop is wasting little time expanding the scope of Spawn Labs, its newly minted "cloud gaming division." A recent job listing for the company seeks a senior software engineer to be "responsible for the development and maintenance of our Player software on Android tablets and smartphones." (Additional job postings are for key roles in the division, which is also looking to port the Spawn Player app to Linux-based systems.)

Upon announcing the acquisition of the game-streaming tech outfit late last month, GameStop laid out a clear goal: "Once the Spawn Labs integration and testing on a new consumer interface is complete, users will have immediate access to a wide selection of high-definition video games on demand on any internet-enabled device." Android phones and tablets (and Linux systems) would appear to be next on the checklist, but what about iOS devices?

"Getting the audio and video onto the iPhone or iPad is not too hard," Spawn Labs' David Wilson pointed out in the community forums (some months ago). "Getting game control in a way that works for console games is hard -- but only because Apple controls both the physical and Bluetooth interfaces to the device." In response to a followup question, he added, "Yes, Android is more within our control than the iPhone."

While Spawn Labs has operated as a sort of "Slingbox for gaming," with its Spawn HD-720 box providing the technology to stream your game consoles' content to a computer, GameStop appears to be angling to cast a much wider net -- not just to stream your console games on more devices, but to sell you new games to stream on more devices. The retail giant has also scooped up a digital distribution platform in Impulse, which would seem just the thing to provide that "wide selection of high-definition video games on demand" -- just as soon as Spawns Labs' "new consumer interface is complete," of course. (Muahahahahaha!)

[Thanks, Gregory]

GameStop porting game-streaming Spawn Player to Android devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grand Theft Auto character listed in voice actor casting call

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST

You don't have to look like this creepy guy -- you just have to sound like him. James Pedeaston (pictured), a recurring side character in the Grand Theft Auto universe, is listed among several other roles in a voice-over casting call posted on Actors Pages, which could be further evidence that production of Grand Theft Auto 5 is underway. Take-Two was initially named (as the production company) in the posting, according to Eurogamer, but reference to the GTA publisher has since been removed.

Pedeaston was the host of "The Wild Traveler" radio show in GTA: San Andreas -- in which he openly recounted acts of pedophilia -- and, in GTA IV, he was "arrested by the Indonesian police after being suspected of child molesting in Bali, Indonesia," according to the GTA Wiki. The casting call describes Pedeaston as a "man-boy love activist who just got released from an Indonesian prison," suggesting that the role would be set in a time period following the events of GTA IV -- in other words, a role featured in the next GTA game.

Additional first-name-only characters are listed in the job posting and sound generally befitting of a GTA game -- take "Samantha," for instance: "A young female obsessed with sex parties, always dreaming of being a Hollywood celebrity." The Actors Pages casting call follows a similar job posting on The Agency, for a project named "Rush" (assumed to be a codename and linked to Take-Two), which introduces more puzzle pieces that might fit together into a new GTA game set in Los Angeles -- or "Los Santos," as it's known in San Andreas.

[Image source: GTA Wiki; credit: C-d-rom]

Grand Theft Auto character listed in voice actor casting call originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft hiring for 'next-generation console' engineers

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST

Though Microsoft isn't close to approaching the end of its ten-year plan for the Xbox 360, the hardware manufacturer seems to be staffing up to develop the heir apparent of the gaming console's kingdom. The company recently posted a handful of hiring ads for its Mountain View research facility, which is looking to add a design verification engineer, hardware architect and other positions to its roster to help with "defining and delivering next generation console architectures from conception through implementation."

If these "conceptual" positions really are for the Xbox 360's successor, we're probably a few years out from learning anything else about the next-gen console. All we can hope is that the team also publishes a help wanted ad for the position of "Making Sure the Console Doesn't Spontaneously Stop Working Technician."

Microsoft hiring for 'next-generation console' engineers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Visceral seeking producer for work on 'bold new IP'

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:31:00 EST

Dead Space 2 is finished. So, what's next for Visceral Games? Dead Space 3? Dante's Inferno 2? The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King 2: The Returnening? Anything is possible, it seems, as a new job listing on Gamasutra reveals that the studio is hiring for an executive producer to lead a "bold new IP," one that is "heavily backed by EA leadership." (So, anything but Mirror's Edge 2.)

Our best guess? It's that Macbeth game Dante's Inferno producer Jonathan Knight has "been thinking about for years." Of course, Knight is no longer with Visceral nor EA, so perhaps he took his idea with him.

[Image mock-up incorporates art from a 2007 production of MacBeth staged by the Workshop Theatre Company; source: andycomusic.com]

Visceral seeking producer for work on 'bold new IP' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony beefing up legal team to battle pirates

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:30:00 EST

Sony isn't planning on letting the PS3 turn into another PSP. While Sony releases the occassional firmware update for their handheld, it's clear that little can be done to stop the piracy rampant on the platform. Perhaps the PS3 is destined for a different fate, with the help of a bulked up legal team. According to IGN, Sony is currently looking to hire a "Senior Corporate Counsel" and a "Senior Paralegal for Anti-Piracy and Brand Protection." (That should look intimidating on a business card!)

The hires will be responsible for "overseeing anti-piracy civil lawsuits and providing support to law enforcement and intellectual property agencies on behalf of SCEA." Sony has already filed lawsuits against a number of people responsible for the creation and distribution of the PS3 jailbreak. This listing suggests that the company may be looking to cast an even wider net.

"Consumers must immediately cease use and remove all circumvention devices and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from their PlayStation 3 systems," the company warned in an earlier statement.

Sony beefing up legal team to battle pirates originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Australian game industry jobs drop over 50% since 2008

David Hinkle — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:00:00 EST

It's been a rough couple years for the games industry in Australia, a new Interactive Skills Integration Scheme survey shows. Currently, the figures (via GameSpot) suggest there are 931 full-time positions across 126 studios in the game industry Down Under, which excludes, oddly enough, "educational and other serious games." With over 1,000 jobs lost since 2008, the survey suggests a decline in jobs of over 50 percent there.

Data shows that Victoria holds the most industry jobs, accounting for 410 full-time development positions across 44 different studios. Brisbane is second, with 22 studios employing 262 full-time developers. Sydney has 144 devs working at 17 studios.

According to project lead Justin Brow, the loss of jobs is part of an exodus -- partly due to the country's lack of compelling IP, partly due to the strength of the country's dollar and partly because of the limited opportunities at the remaining big studios. That's not to say it's all doom and gloom there: companies like Halfbrick are showing that success can be had.

"I want Australia to be more competitive in the global games industry," Brow said. "I know we can do it. We have the innovation, creativity, and technology to do it, and we have good business relationships. There is no reason why we cannot be a leading light in the serious games market."

[Image credit]

Report: Australian game industry jobs drop over 50% since 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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YouTube seeking developers for 'console-based TV experience'

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST

Google is, apparently, a wonderful place to work, but its products have rarely afforded video game developers an opportunity to work for the company. Well, until now.

YouTube is seeking to build a "next generation game-console-based TV experience with YouTube video content," and is seeking programmers with "deep technical knowledge of Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and/or Nintendo Wii." Given the everyday stories of layoffs in our industry, there will be no dearth of qualified applicants.

Google currently offers a functional, but not particularly optimized, experience for Wii and PS3 via the consoles' internet browsers called YouTube XL (pictured above). Think you can make something better than this?

YouTube seeking developers for 'console-based TV experience' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remedy co-founder joins Rovio to bring Angry Birds to consoles

James Ransom-Wiley — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST

Petri Järvilehto, one of the founders of Remedy Entertainment, has joined fellow Finnish developer Rovio Mobile as senior vice president of console development. Serving in this new role, Järvi- er, let's just go with Petri ... will spearhead Rovio's efforts to "take the Angry Birds success story to current and emerging console platforms." Currently, a port of the original Angry Birds smartphone game is available for PS3 as a PSN Mini, but Rovio looks to be aiming for new heights as it prepares to launch its flightless birds into future console games.

"We want to make Angry Birds a long-lasting global gaming franchise, and we see the console platforms as a way of delivering an even more entertaining, powerful and involving experience," Rovio CEO Mikael Hed said in a press release, perhaps hinting at the dark, psychological turn the bird-launching series could take on consoles. "I think we're only in the beginning, and with consoles we have the opportunity to create a new kind of gaming experience," Petri added, ending on a cliffhanger.

To get a sense of where he's coming from -- and just how completely different it is from Angry Birds -- Petri personally led the development of Max Payne 1 & 2 and headed up the initial game design of last year's standout Xbox 360 exclusive Alan Wake. He will remain on Remedy's board of directors.

Continue reading Remedy co-founder joins Rovio to bring Angry Birds to consoles

Remedy co-founder joins Rovio to bring Angry Birds to consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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343 Industries adding 12 more positions for 'the future of Halo'

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST

The new Halo house, 343 Industries, is once again hiring for "Halo jobs," ranging from "multiplayer designer" to "environment artist." Though the dozen listings don't spell out anything specific about a new project, job applicants must "demonstrate that you've played all of the games and thought a lot about the [Halo] franchise."

So far, there's been no official announcement regarding a new Halo game, with 343's current focus on "supporting" Halo: Reach, according to Microsoft. An HD remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, built with the Reach game engine, is rumored to be in development.

343 Industries adding 12 more positions for 'the future of Halo' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crytek seeking iOS developers, tries not to mention it's for games

Randy Nelson — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 20:30:00 EST

Crytek, a developer that's built a reputation for creating game engines that make even the highest-end PC gaming rigs weep, is making a move into ... mobile development? In a job posting on Develop, the company has put the word out that it's looking for people with experience making iOS apps, specifically candidates who've shipped at least one product on the App Store.

You've probably noticed that we haven't mentioned games yet, and there's a reason: In its posting, Crytek is pretty careful not to use any language that would suggest that successful applicants will go on to create games for iPhone, IPad or iPod touch. Well, except for one line near the end of the "requirements" section: "Passion for video games."

The fact that we haven't heard any rumblings regarding iOS games from Crytek before, and that it's just now sounding the call for applications, leads us to believe that any mobile projects the company has -- games or otherwise -- must be pretty early in development. That, or it's just really taking its time coming up with the absolute best way to bring your iPhone's PowerVR GPU to its knees.

Crytek seeking iOS developers, tries not to mention it's for games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion hiring Xbox 360 programmers for unknown project, designer for 'Syfy Action MMO'

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST

For the second time in as many years, Trion has posted job listings for console-specific programmers, perhaps quietly staffing up for the long dormant "Syfy Action MMO" (thought to be named "One Earth") that was announced back in 2008. Rather than spell out exactly what these programmers would be doing, the listings only explain that Trion seeks two Xbox 360 "senior console programmers" to "work on AAA titles in a highly collaborative environment."

A third job listing for a "senior game/systems designer" gets more granular, specifically naming the "Syfy Action MMO" as the project in question and requiring potential candidates to have "experience working on action games for consoles, such as PS3, Xbox, etc." Trion had yet to respond to our request for more information as of publishing.

Trion hiring Xbox 360 programmers for unknown project, designer for 'Syfy Action MMO' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Stardust HD 'pro' joins Housemarque, gets to work on Dead Nation

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:30:00 EST

Described as a Super Stardust "pro," the phenom known as Tlo-Mek has joined Housemarque's team on account of "his gaming prowess." Sony announced the new hire alongside this gameplay footage of Tlo-Mek straight killing Housemarque's impending PSN release, Dead Nation. That's some way to land a job!

Continue reading Super Stardust HD 'pro' joins Housemarque, gets to work on Dead Nation

Super Stardust HD 'pro' joins Housemarque, gets to work on Dead Nation originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take-Two CEO Feder quitting to travel Asia, Zelnick to become CEO

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST

Friday 29 October

New British trainer at the gym tells me I'm 13 stone. That's better than 70-something kilos, but apparently I've put on weight. It's all my soon-to-be ex-CEO Ben Feder's fault.

Food consumed today: Nothing, yet. But I'm sure the Federator is going to drag me out to McDonalds for lunch again (I do admit I love me a pair of McChicken sandwiches). The movie Super Size Me has nothing on him at the moment, he's taking in everything American he can before jetting -- you should see the pile of Jack in the Box Oreo milkshakes by his desk.

Morning. Brisk autumn day in New York.

Woe is me, Diary,

Going to hold back the tears as I write this. My home slice, Ben Feder, is giving up his position as Chief Executive Officer of Take-Two to "travel Asia with his family for an extended period." I shoulda figured something was up, since every time we went out to a Chinese restaurant he would ask, "Do you think Chinese food is the same in China?"

There is one benefit to the Federator leaving ... I'm gonna be CE-mutha-O! Tee-hee, Diary. Not gonna lie, it feels good to imagine myself as Capt. Picard: "Engage" all projects! Being Take-Two's Executive Chairman is great and all, but C-E-O!

Anyway, one of my executive vee-pees, Karl Slatoff, will take on the "newly created role" of Chief Operating Officer. Oh Di, how silly is this "newly created role" business? Truth is, it hurt a little refilling the spot after my former COO Gary "Gar Bear" Dale left last year -- I left the door open for him and always set out an extra plate at dinner, just hoping he'd come back.

Yeah, so, the official transition of all this will take place on New Year's Day 2011. Looking forward to having Feder show me the ropes of his job, but I don't think my body can handle doing it over lunch meetings at Mickey D's, Burger King and Wendy's every afternoon anymore.

xoxo,
ZelNicky

Take-Two CEO Feder quitting to travel Asia, Zelnick to become CEO originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wipeout dev seeks designer with racing game experience

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST

Following a hiring surge in late July for an apparent "action" project, SCE Studio Liverpool is once again in need of a senior designer with "an encyclopedic knowledge of games," only this time with an "especially racing" kind of intelligence. Said know-it-all should have put this in-brained database to good use, too, and must have "shipped at least one successful racing title within a senior design role."

According to GamesRadar, an earlier version of the job listing was more candid, describing the position as one in which the new hire would "work with a talented and experienced team on a high profile, futuristic racing franchise." Though it's unclear what prompted the edit (was that a spoiler?), Studio Liverpool's newest designer will likely be working on the WipEout franchise.

Earlier this year, Studio Liverpool underwent a drastic reduction in size, with reportedly half of all staff laid off. Shortly before the restructuring, Sony confirmed that a number of projects within the studio had been canceled. Studio Liverpool's last significant release was the WipEout HD add-on "Fury" in mid-2009 -- unless you count this summer's grand opening of the "WipEout Museum" ... in PlayStation Home.

[Pictured: Studio Liverpool; source: SCE Worldwide Studios]

Wipeout dev seeks designer with racing game experience originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remedy looking for Xbox 360 mystery project producer

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST

According to a recent job posting, Remedy is hiring for a producer position on an upcoming Xbox 360 project. The listing doesn't offer any concrete details on the game, noting only that it is a "AAA console project." The fact that the project is only pegged to the Xbox 360 platform could point to an Alan Wake sequel, which would make sense given that the final Alan Wake DLC is out and the company already has a sequel mapped out. Of course, Alan Wake's unimpressive sales debut casts some doubt on the possibility of a sequel.

Here's hoping Remedy shines a light on this project soon and doesn't keep us in suspense for long.

Remedy looking for Xbox 360 mystery project producer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The feel-good Friday post

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Rick Pierce, self-described "mid-level designer moving into senior-level roles," was recently invited to Valve's offices for a second-round interview. He didn't get the job. "You're fantastic, but let's give it a little more time," was Valve's parting encouragement.

Rick's story doesn't end there, though: He sent a nifty card (pictured above; full size here) to Valve as both a "thank you" -- Rick says he "loved every minute" of the interview -- and a crafty reminder to the company that he's a talented designer. His generally uplifting account, as told in comments on Reddit, underscores a tough job market and inspires positive creativity in spite of the down economy. As Rick says, "Hang in there, it gets better."

In that spirit, we'd like to point you to Rick's Quandry texture pack for Minecraft and encourage you to poke around the site of his indie studio Retribution Games. We'd also like to invite you to share links to any of your own game design-related work in the comments section of this post.

The feel-good Friday post originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warner Bros. appoints Greg Ballard senior VP of 'Digital Games'

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 03:15:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Warner Bros. has tapped former Glu Mobile president and CEO Greg Ballard to serve as its senior vice president of Digital Games. He will serve under Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, reporting to both division presidents.

Ballard will be in charge of the company's broad digital distribution business as it pertains to PC, console, handheld and mobile games; online titles, including social games, owned and operated MMOs and "light persistent worlds"; and TV-delivered and on-demand streaming games. That leaves a lot to consider, but we'd be satisfied just to get a lot more Batman DLC for the next one. Make it happen, Ballard.

Additionally, the new vee-pee will oversee Turbine, creator of The Lord of the Rings Online, and has been tasked with recruiting a new GM for the studio.

Most recently, Ballard could be found in the cushy CEO chair of Transpera, a mobile video ad network. He's also held executive positions at Capcom and the now defunct Digital Pictures, developer of the famously "controversial" early '90s FMV classic, Night Trap. You know, the genre is making a comeback with iPhone ports ... Make it happen, Ballard.

Continue reading Warner Bros. appoints Greg Ballard senior VP of 'Digital Games'

Warner Bros. appoints Greg Ballard senior VP of 'Digital Games' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 03:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video game bosses go undercover in the workplace

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 01:15:00 EST

It's important for bosses to mingle, undetected, among ordinary video game enemies from time to time. It's also hilarious.

Continue reading Video game bosses go undercover in the workplace

Video game bosses go undercover in the workplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don Mattrick now more official-sounding Xbox boss

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Microsoft has promoted executive Don Mattrick to "president" of its Interactive Entertainment Business, which includes the company's Xbox business, as well as its PC and mobile gaming efforts. Previously, Mattrick was labeled a "senior vice president," though his responsibilities have not appeared to change in quite some time. He has led the Interactive Entertainment segment since July 2007.

In May, Microsoft announced the pending retirement of Xbox head Robbie Bach from his position as president of the Entertainment & Devices Division (under which Mattrick's Interactive Entertainment Business is filed). Since that time, the company has seemingly done away with Bach's position (just what was he doing, anyway?), since Mattrick and colleague Andy Lees, now president of the Mobile Communications Business, where already overseeing the E&D Division's two main businesses. Both executives report directly to CEO Steve Ballmer.

Don Mattrick now more official-sounding Xbox boss originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cammie Dunaway leaving Nintendo on October 1

JC Fletcher — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Nintendo of America EVP of Sales and Marketing Cammie Dunaway will leave her position at Nintendo for a job outside of video games on October 1. Presumably it will be in one of the many industries whose executives aren't mocked daily on the internet. Dunaway joined Nintendo in November 2007 after holding the Chief Marketing Officer title at Yahoo and marketing jobs at Frito-Lay.

"We appreciate Cammie's contributions to Nintendo and the role she played in bringing the Wii and Nintendo DS experiences to millions of people," NOA president Reggie Fils-Aime said in a statement. "Her team and the rest of Nintendo of America remain focused on our goal of maintaining the incredible momentum Nintendo enjoys heading into the busy holiday season." Fils-Aime then moved on to the task of taking Dunaway's name ... off of her office door.

Cammie Dunaway leaving Nintendo on October 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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38 Studios' loan from Rhode Island detailed in new report

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Thanks to documentation from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, we now have a better idea of the terms involved in 38 Studios' controversial move from Massachusetts to R.I. Obtained by WPRI, the report kinda explains what's going on: 38 Studios will receive $51 million from the state; $13 million as soon as Curt Shilling's studio signs the contract to move and another $38 million as the company achieves milestones over the next 15 months. The remaining $20 million is held in some reserve to assure three years of debt payment, which is tied to other caveats.

38 Studios also has a strict job creation schedule over the next three years. The developer must have 125 full-time jobs within a year of signing for the loan, another 175 the following year and 150 more the year after. That may just be numbers to many of you out there, but industry human resource representatives and studio directors just spit coffee all over their monitors. The studio will be penalized $7,500 per year for each of the 450 jobs it doesn't create. Obviously, if you do the math, it's cheaper not to hire for the full-time job and take the penalty.

38 Studios must also announce the location of its new studio operations and corporate headquarters by November 30, 2010 -- note: the company just has to say where it's going, not actually get there. Also, the closing of the loan requires a "signed, enforceable" 10-year lease for 38 to stay in Rhode Island. Looks like R.I. wants to make sure that it's not paying to raise a studio -- which, to date, hasn't released a single project -- and watch it leave for California or Canada after it gets all that cash.

38 Studios' loan from Rhode Island detailed in new report originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rhode Island treasurer seeks to block $75M loan to 38 Studios

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio, who is also the general treasurer, is working to block the state's $75 million loan to 38 Studios. The Boston Globe reports Caprio wants to stop the loan guarantee, which the studio would receive in exchange for moving from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, until a new governor is sworn in. Several other gubernatorial candidates have also expressed concern.

The multi-million dollar deal, which would leave Rhode Island taxpayers with the bill if 38 Studios was to go under, is key to the company creating a proposed 450 jobs in the state by the end of 2012. 38 Studios currently employs approximately 200 staff.

Rhode Island treasurer seeks to block $75M loan to 38 Studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Splinter Cell, Far Cry 2 designer Clint Hocking leaves Ubisoft

Mike Schramm — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:30:00 EST

[Image Source]

Clint Hocking, longtime creative director at Ubisoft on the Splinter Cell games and lead designer on FarCry 2, has announced on his blog that he has resigned from Ubisoft. The separation appears to be genial -- Hocking waxes a little poetic about his nearly-a-decade with the company, and then goes on to say that he has found the courage to "bid farewell to those tragically comforting habits" and move forward to "walk on hot coals and sleep on a bed of nails." We'll assume he's speaking metaphorically there, and guess that Hocking is moving off to start his own company.

Still, as Hocking points out, it's a big move away from the company where he started out, originally hired after "fiddling around more or less constantly ... with the Unreal Level Editor" and having "sent in a resume on a lark" to a job posting. Hocking started work on the first Splinter Cell, and says he's "been very lucky to say the least" in his career so far. We'll let you know when we hear what he's up to next.

[Via IdleThumbs]

Splinter Cell, Far Cry 2 designer Clint Hocking leaves Ubisoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 May 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former Nintendo VP Denise Kaigler joins 38 Studios

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:02:00 EST

It appears that Denise Kaigler has returned to Massachusetts, as the former Nintendo VP of corporate affairs has announced that she's taken a position as chief marketing officer at Curt Schilling's 38 Studios. The notably vocal ex-Nintendo exec vacated her position at NoA late last year, saying then that she wished to spend more time with her family. Kaigler told us in an email this morning that "While at Nintendo, I was commuting regularly between SF, NYC, Seattle and my home outside of Boston. But we're all together now."

In her new position, Kaigler serves as lead coordinator for all (but not thirty-eight) development studios operated by 38, including Big Huge Games and the team working on the "Copernicus" MMO. As CMO, Kaigler will also lead the publisher's marketing charge, we presume. Given her outspoken nature in the past, we also presume we'll be hearing more from Kaigler in the not too distant future.

Former Nintendo VP Denise Kaigler joins 38 Studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google hires Mark DeLoura as game 'developer advocate'

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:30:00 EST

[DeLoura at Johnny Rockets, 2006; gamedev.net]

Industry veteran Mark DeLoura begins his position as "developer advocate" of games at Google today, ending a 34-month stint as a game technology consultant. DeLoura has traded numerous jobs and advisory roles in the industry since beginning as a lead engineer for Nintendo in 1995. Having once served as manager of developer relations for Sony Computer Entertainment America, DeLoura becomes the second former SCEA man to be hired by Google within its ~~lively~~ loosely defined games division. Until April 2009, Bernie Stolar, the first executive VP of SCEA, was known as Google's "game evangelist" for two years.

In his new role at Google, DeLoura will work with game developers, both "traditional" and "new," to provide support for and information about creating games for Google's various platforms, which could include Android, O3D (its open-source web API) and the in-progress Chrome OS. DeLoura described the developer advocate position as "both inward- and outward-facing" and suggested that he will seek to make it "easier for developers to express themselves and share the experiences they create" for Google. As for the Google mission, DeLoura said, "They seek to build platforms by working interactively with their partners, providing a big tent so everyone can get involved."

Big tent, huh? Sounds like there's at least a free lunch in it for any developer open to taking a peek at what Google's offering.

Google hires Mark DeLoura as game 'developer advocate' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interview: Alex Alvarez of the Gnomon School of Visual Effects

Kevin Kelly — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Alex Alvarez is one of those people who obsessively played games and constantly doodled in a sketchbook as a kid. He studied art, but with no one career-oriented channel for that creativity, he didn't find himself making a living as an artist until he stumbled into a job working on comic books. A few years later, he was explaining software to movie studios and eventually opened The Gnomon Workshop, which provides training to artists who are interested in the entertainment industry.

Alvarez recently finished a six-month stint working on James Cameron's Avatar, and Gnomon just hosted the "Unleashed: The Art of Naughty Dog" art exhibit showing off works by many of the artists from Naughty Dog, several of whom went through classes at Gnomon. In our interview after the break, Alvarez talks about the expanding reach of video games, looks back at his youth spent playing Ultima and Wizardry, and doles out plenty of advice for budding young artists.

Continue reading Interview: Alex Alvarez of the Gnomon School of Visual Effects

Interview: Alex Alvarez of the Gnomon School of Visual Effects originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You could design the next revision of the 360 motherboard

JC Fletcher — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST

A Microsoft job listing reveals that the company is looking for staff to design a new Xbox 360 motherboard. From the sound of it, the new "Motherboard Design Engineer" will be helping to design further revisions of the existing Xbox 360 architecture, rather than the hardware for a next-next-generation system. "The responsibilities of this position are focused on specifying, designing (schematic capture, PCB layout, BOM, cost analysis), implementing and verifying the mother-board and other various sub-system boards that make up the Xbox 360 product line," the job description reads.

If you're a qualified electrical engineer and want to do work that may cast you as a hero in the eyes of many, many gamers, this is your chance. Please fix the Xbox 360 motherboard once and for all!

[Thanks @GameAddict!]

You could design the next revision of the 360 motherboard originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Activision ousts Infinity Ward studio heads [update]

Kevin Kelly — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:35:00 EST

G4's The Feed, which has been in communication with a source at Infinity Ward, reports that organizational changes may be in effect at the FPS developer's offices. The source claims that a "bunch of 'bouncer-types' just showed up outside of the Infinity Ward offices unannounced. When approached by employees, the non-uniformed 'bouncers' were unwilling to disclose why they were there." In addition, The Feed notes that Infinity Ward's studio heads, Vince Zampella and Jason West, were not seen by fellow staff members after a meeting with Activision on Monday morning. A desk guard at Infinity Ward's offices was unable to confirm any of the events to Joystiq, and calls to community manager Robert Bowling went unanswered at the time of writing.

Apparently, on Monday Activision filed a Form 10-K with the SEC, which is basically an overview of the company's financial condition, and includes any information that could possibly affect that condition. This filing states, "In November 2009, the Company released Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, a game developed by one of the Company's wholly-owned studios, Infinity Ward. As noted above, Modern Warfare 2 was the best selling console title in the U.S. and Europe in 2009. Consistent with past practice, the Company intends to release a Call of Duty game in 2010 developed by another wholly-owned studio. The Company is concluding an internal human resources inquiry into breaches of contract and insubordination by two senior employees at Infinity Ward. This matter is expected to involve the departure of key personnel and litigation. At present, the Company does not expect this matter to have a material impact on the Company."

Co-studio head Jason West has reportedly changed both his Facebook status and LinkedIn page to indicate that he is no longer employed. As soon as we get more news, we'll pass it along.

Update: Activision has confirmed the departures of Vince Zampella and Jason West. Read here for more details.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Activision ousts Infinity Ward studio heads [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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