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Hello there 👋

It's almost time! Microsoft will finally reveal its plans for Xbox in a podcast tomorrow. If the rumors are true, some of its exclusives could be available on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch very soon. 👀

Epic Games has also received a massive $1.5 billion investment from Disney, and the two companies will collaborate on a new "entertainment universe" that interoperates with Fortnite.

Ubisoft and Sony have also provided updates on their upcoming releases, with Assassin's Creed Codename Red set to be released before March 2025. However, Rise of the Ronin will not be released in Korea due to historical content controversy.

Sadly, it was also revealed that Toys for Bob, best known for its remastering of the Spyro trilogy, was hard hit by Microsoft's recent layoffs, with most of its staff impacted.

Hot Jobs 🔥

This week's list should have something for everyone, regardless of experience level:

Product Manager:in / Game Designer:in
🏢 Lotum 🇩🇪 Bad Nauheim 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 5+ years exp

Head of Partnerships
🏢 OG Esports 🌎 Remote Anywhere 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 5+ years exp

Destiny Weapons Designer (Associate–Mid)
🏢 Bungie 🇺🇸 Remote USA 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 1+ year exp

Localisation Tester, Spanish
🏢 Rockstar Games 🇬🇧 Lincoln 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 0+ years exp

QA Tester
🏢 2K 🇪🇸 Madrid 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 0+ years exp

Brand Manager
🏢 Humble Bundle 🇺🇸 Remote USA 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 3+ years exp

Senior Account Manager, Influencer Marketing
🏢 Aftershock Media 🌎 Remote Anywhere 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 2+ years exp

Gaming Automation Test Engineer
🏢 Yodo1 🌎 Remote Anywhere 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 2+ years exp

3D Artist (External Development)
🏢 Santa Monica Studio 🇺🇸 Los Angeles, CA 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 2+ years exp

Localisation Tester, Brazilian Portuguese
🏢 Rockstar Games 🇬🇧 Lincoln 📄 Full Time 🎚️ 0+ years exp

If it didn't have something for you, we've posted 200+ other listings since last Wednesday! 💪

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Big News 📰

💼 Microsoft’s Xbox business update will be held on Thursday

• Microsoft has confirmed that its Xbox business update will be held on Thursday, February 15. The podcast will be available on YouTube and other major podcasting platforms at 12pm PT (3pm ET and 8pm GMT).
  

• Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer will be joined by Xbox President Sarah Bond and President of Game Content and Studios Matt Booty to discuss the Xbox brand's future strategy. This follows recent rumors that the company will release its exclusives on PlayStation and Nintendo platforms.
  

• According to reports, Spencer has reassured internal employees that Xbox will not leave the console business and that the new strategy "involves multiple kinds of devices."

Other News 🗞️

While we await Xbox's major announcements, Disney has confirmed that it has invested $1.5 billion in Epic Games and will create an "all-new games and entertainment universe" in Unreal Engine 5, which will be available "soon(ish)."

Ubisoft has also provided an update on one of its most anticipated titles, revealing that Assassin's Creed Codename Red will be released before March 2025. The game is set in feudal Japan and will combine action RPG and stealth gameplay.

Codename Red isn't the only samurai game making headlines. Sony has confirmed that Team Ninja's Rise of the Ronin will not be released in South Korea. It is alleged that game director Fumuhiko Yasuda "glorified" scholar Shōin Yoshida, who is known for advocating for the Japanese invasion of Korea.

Unfortunately, we're still not free of layoff news this week, as it has been confirmed that Toys for Bob has been significantly impacted by Microsoft Gaming's recent cuts. The situation has affected the majority of the studio, causing its physical office to close its doors. 😔

🤑 Disney has invested $1.5 billion in Epic Games

🔴 Assassin’s Creed Codename Red will arrive by March 2025, says Ubisoft

🇰🇷 Rise of the Ronin will not be released in Korea following director's controversial comments

😢 Spyro developer Toys for Bob significantly affected by Microsoft layoffs

Getting Social 📲

Here's a peek at a couple of our top LinkedIn posts from the last seven days:

It's time for something a little different, as we've compiled a list featuring some of the most popular positions on Hitmarker over the last week.

Some of the roles included are as expected, with a mix of QA, marketing, and art jobs in the US and Europe, both physically and remotely.

As you might expect, competition for these roles will be strong, so make sure to customize your resume and cover letter if you go for any. We're all wishing you the best of luck! 🤞🤞

And, if nothing here stands out to you, we currently have around 2,000 other positions available right now, with more on the way.

INDIKA, an upcoming third-person adventure title from Odd Meter, caught our attention this week with its fantastic gameplay reveal trailer.

Set in an alternate 19th-century Russia, the game follows Indika, a young nun, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, accompanied by none other than the devil himself.

The title is scheduled for release in Q2 2024, but those interested can hop into the recently released Steam demo right now to try it out. 🎮

Fans of story-driven games like Hellblade and A Plague Tale will likely enjoy this one!

The End ✌️

A second successive generally positive newsletter in 2024?! We're not complaining!

Still, while we hope Xbox's new strategy sounds great tomorrow, we can't help but feel like there will be some controversy surrounding it. We're all ears about the brand's future, and we'll make sure to keep you updated in our news section and the next newsletter.

Best wishes from all of us here in rainy Newcastle,

Danny and the gang at Hitmarker 🧡