Employment News, Employment Features

Conversations with consoles

We regularly whisper sweet little somethings into our PlayStation 3’s disc drive, but other than the slight purr of the system’s primary fan, we don’t get much in the way of a response. That could be about to change with the PlayStation 4, as a Linked In job listing has hinted that Sony could be about to follow in...

Father of PlayStation teams up with Soul Sacrifice developer

It’s taken a while, but it seems that Ken Kutaragi has finally followed his own controversial advice and landed himself a second job. The man behind the PlayStation, and the former chairman and CEO of SCE, has secured the role of external director at Soul Sacrifice developer Marvelous...

Star Wars 1313's fate not looking good

Disney’s questionable treatment of non-Star Wars: Episode VII content has continued today with the closure of legendary video game arm LucasArts. Following the Mickey Mouse marker's acquisition of LucasFilm along with its various subsidiaries late last year, the company has opted to shutter a large portion...

No Wei

Given publisher Square Enix’s volatile temperament at the moment, we’re more than a little concerned by some reports filtering out of Sleeping Dogs developer United Front Games. Apparently, the Canadian studio has been struck by a round of layoffs, following the cancellation of an "action adventure" game. Seasoned snoop Superannuation...

Final Fantasy maker down on its luck

John Riccitiello is not the only high-profile video game executive to be heading for the exit door, as Square Enix gaffer Yoichi Wada has been ousted from the company following a dire financial forecast for its current fiscal year. The outgoing boss had been in the job since 2000, but he’ll now be replaced by...

Under fire executive resigns

Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello has submitted his resignation to a boardroom of (presumably) stern-looking directors. The executive’s final day will be on 30th March, the close of the company’s fiscal year. After that, he’ll be forced to pack up his ballpoint pens and Commander Shepard figurines, and leave the...

Brave new world

Sony chairman and former chief executive officer Howard Stringer has announced that he will retire from his position within the firm in June. The Welsh businessman announced his departure as part of a speech at the Japan Society in New York City last week, where he revealed that he will turn his attention to the healthcare and...

Walking away

Despite the likelihood of a sequel seeming fairly high, Sony has confirmed that it has ended its relationship with PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale developer SuperBot Entertainment. The platform holder confirmed the news in a press release earlier this evening, adding that its Santa Monica studio will continue to support the release...

Mickey mania

After the reportedly dire sales of Epic Mickey 2, it’s perhaps not surprising that Disney has decided to shutter developer Junction Point today – but that doesn’t make the news any easier to swallow. The publisher, currently wrapped up in the production of Disney Infinity, confirmed the closure earlier this evening, citing its...

Back from the brink

Darksiders may have been caught by the scythe of Death, but that’s not stopping a number of former Vigil Games employees from finding new life at Crytek USA. The Austin-based outfit, announced earlier today, represents the ninth studio in the German firm’s portfolio. Its foundation follows closely in the footsteps of Crytek...

Flying the first-party flag

You may not have heard of George Andreas, but you will almost certainly have played one of his games. The former Rare employee worked on a wealth of classics during his 16 year tenure at the UK studio, including Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and even GoldenEye 007. But, after playing a pivotal role in the production of

Heavy haymaker

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale developer SuperBot Entertainment has apparently been struck by a round of layoffs. According to Insomniac Games designer Mike Birkhead, around 20 employees were released earlier today. “When it rains, it pours,” he said, presumably in reference to the recent slew of job losses at defunct...

Thanks for the memories

The auction for THQ’s assets has concluded, with the publisher closing up shop as a result. After a gruelling 22 hour auction process, intermediaries decided that individual bids would net a greater cash return for the debt riddled company, resulting in the demise of the once prolific publisher. The new owners of many of...

Celebrate good times

We’ve got to admit, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale’s seemingly poor sales had us worried for a moment. Developer SuperBot Entertainment has crafted such an excellent starting point, that it would be a real shame if the idea didn’t get fleshed out further in a sequel – but it looks like that’s exactly what’s on...

You only live twice

Blighted British developer Eurocom has been forced to close its doors just weeks after announcing huge redundancies. The Derby-based studio employed over 200 people prior to releasing 007 Legends earlier this year. It slashed that headcount to just 50 in November, before letting the remaining staff go earlier today. “Today...

The world is not enough

Legendary UK developer Eurocom has cut its workforce to just under 50 employees today. The studio – which previously employed over 200 people – has been forced to restructure after a decline in demand for console games. "Eurocom are undertaking a restructuring which I regret to say has meant we've made the majority of...

Parting gift

Jeff Rubenstein may have departed Sony Computer Entertainment America recently, but the social media wizard will always have something to remember his five years at the company with. In order to recognise his service, the platform holder has awarded the PlayStation Blog guru with a glass replica of the DualShock 3 controller. Not only...

New blood

Sony Bend, the North American first-party studio responsible for the Syphon Filter franchise and the recent Uncharted: Golden Abyss, is staffing up for a new blockbuster PlayStation Vita title. A job listing for a Senior Staff Technical Animator on Gamasutra notes that the developer is currently looking for “top artistic talent to help...

Thanks for the memories

After a slew of rumours, Senior Social Media Manager Jeff Rubenstein has confirmed that he’s leaving PlayStation. Those that have been invested in the brand since the early PS3 days will know that Jeff has played an integral part in transforming the PlayStation Blog into one of the most popular gaming websites in the world...