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- Xbox could begin releasing its exclusives on rival platforms, including PlayStation | The Midweek Memo #004
Xbox could begin releasing its exclusives on rival platforms, including PlayStation | The Midweek Memo #004
The Nintendo Switch is now the best-selling console ever in Japan, Hideo Kojima is working on a new espionage game, and there have been even more layoffs.
Hitmarker
February 07, 2024
Hello π
This week has been the calm before the storm, as Microsoft is expected to announce a new multi-platform strategy for Xbox exclusives next week, potentially bringing iconic franchises to PlayStation systems in the future. π€―
PlayStation's State of Play event was also held this week, with the announcement of a new espionage game from Hideo Kojima, as well as other upcoming releases such as the Silent Hill 2 remake.
Nintendo has been in the news, too, with its recent financial update confirming that the Switch is now the all-time best-selling console in Japan, surpassing the beloved DS.
It hasn't all been fun and frolics, though, as Activision Blizzard has laid off most of its esports division and Sega of America has revealed plans to cut its workforce by over 10%.
Hot Jobs π₯
There's a lot of variety in the top 10 opportunities from our platform this week, including a couple of unique vacancies at Rockstar in New York and California:
Social Media Manager
π’ Virtuix πΊπΈ Austin, TX π Full Time ποΈ 3+ years exp
Concept Artist
π’ DECA Games π Anywhere π Full Time ποΈ 3+ years exp
Product Manager, Game Publishing
π’ Yodo1 π Remote Anywhere π Full Time ποΈ 3+ years exp
Channel Experience Manager
π’ PlayStation πΊπΈ Remote USA π Contract ποΈ 3+ years exp
QA Tester
π’ Electric Square π²πΉ San Δ iljan π Contract ποΈ 1+ year exp
Workplace Services Assistant
π’ Rockstar Games πΊπΈ Manhattan, NY π Full Time ποΈ 1+ year exp
Production Coordinator: Environment Art
π’ Rockstar Games πΊπΈ Carlsbad, CA π Full Time ποΈ 0+ years exp
Senior Community Manager
π’ Second Dinner πΊπΈ Remote USA π Full Time ποΈ 5+ years exp
Senior Product Designer
π’ XBorg π Remote Anywhere π Full Time ποΈ 3+ years exp
Development Tester (Tools Support Specialist)
π’ Ubisoft π¨π¦ Winnipeg, MB π Full Time ποΈ 1+ year exp
All-in-all more than 180 opportunities have been posted since we last landed in your inbox, so please be sure to check out the rest if none of the above was a good fit. π€
Big News π°
Microsoft has announced that it will hold a "business update event" next week, unveiling its "vision for the future of Xbox" in light of reports of multi-platform exclusive releases. π
Last week, it was reported that Bethesda was considering PS5 releases of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Starfield, while rumors of a PlayStation launch of the Gears of War franchise have also begun to circulate.
At the beginning of 2024, it was claimed that Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves would be launched on the Switch and PS5 this year, with datamined assets appearing to confirm the releases. The ports may be announced during the update.
Other News ποΈ
Following the recent State of Play and financial updates, Microsoft's big rivals, Sony and Nintendo, have also made announcements.
Sony revealed that Hideo Kojima will begin work on a new espionage title for PlayStation after completing Death Stranding 2. The game is currently titled "Physint," and it has been referred to as both an "interactive game" and a "movie" at the same time.
Nintendo is celebrating the Switch becoming the best-selling console of all time in Japan. The Switch still needs to sell 16 million more units to outsell the PlayStation 2 worldwide, though it may do so by 2025.
Unfortunately, another week means more industry layoffs. Activision Blizzard has let 60 of its 72 full-time esports staff go, while Sega announced that it will cut 440 jobs in March. π
Here's a quick peek at a couple of our favorite LinkedIn posts from the last seven days:
Our remote jobs roundup is back for those who want to work from the comfort of their own homes! π
This week's batch includes several positions available anywhere in the world at DECA Games, Community Gaming, and esports company 2Game Digital, which is seeking an on-camera presenter.
Of course, there are many more remote roles available on the platform right now, as well, and we're sure we'll be posting even more in the coming days.
Nikolay Salikhov's new Unreal Engine 5 traversal prototype, which features Spider-Verse character Spider-Punk bouncing off walls and pedestrian heads, amazed and delighted us and many others this week. π·
Character artist Giacomo Liberio created the Spider-Punk model, which helps to make the prototype look so good that it could be mistaken for an official project (we wish it were!)
Don't forget to check out the rest of Nikolay and Giacomo's creations on their respective X accounts. They're both incredibly talented.
The End βοΈ
Well, this week's newsletter has been more positive than any other we've written in 2024 to date, and we'll certainly take that! π
Next week could get a bit crazy, as we should get confirmation that some of Xbox's hits are coming to PlayStation and Nintendo systems. This could be good or bad news for the industry, depending on how you look at it, but there's no denying that it's a big deal.
So be sure to join us again then, where we'll likely be covering that update and any other major developments, in addition to sharing as many great opportunities with you as we can!
Best wishes from all of us here in soon-to-be snowy Newcastle,
Danny and the gang at Hitmarker π§‘