Hitmarker Highlights #043

Howdy ??

It's been another turbulent week in the video game industry, beginning with more layoffs, this time from Destiny developer Bungie, which has let some key members of its team go.

Xbox, on the other hand, has begun reshuffling its leadership structure after acquiring Activision Blizzard. The company is also reportedly expanding its partnership program for third-party accessory manufacturers.

Elsewhere, Atari has joined the acquisition bandwagon, this time snapping up port developer Digital Eclipse for up to $20 million as part of its plans to expand its reach in the retro scene.

And we can't neglect to mention that the director of Lies of P has now officially confirmed that a sequel is in the works, which we're very happy about (despite this emoji's expression)! ??

These were the 10 most clicked opportunities on Hitmarker this week:

?? Public Relations Specialist at Infernozilla

???? Lead Game Designer (Founding Team) at Rascal Games

???? 3D Art Lead (Founding Team) at Rascal Games

?? Community Manager at PWR Create

???? Associate Writer: Pedestrian & Ambient Dialogue at Rockstar Games

???? Customer Care Agent at Gameloft

?? Python Engineer, Chinese Speaking at Yodo1

???? Video Game Tester at Ubisoft

???? Associate Artist at Blizzard Entertainment

???? Associate, Core Community, North American Football at Electronic Arts

We've posted a ton of fresh opportunities recently, check them out?on our platform. ??

???Bungie layoffs reportedly affected 8% of its workforce

• Destiny developer Bungie has announced the layoffs of a significant number of employees, estimated to be around 100 people, which accounts for 8% of the studio's workforce. This includes long-time composer Michael Salvatori and several key front-facing community staff. ??
• Employees were allegedly informed of Destiny 2's recent underperformance in a meeting just a few weeks ago, with CEO Pete Parsons outlining potential cost-cutting measures. On Monday, employees were greeted with a brief meeting informing them of the job cuts, which took effect immediately.
• Destiny 2's upcoming The Final Shape DLC has reportedly been delayed to allow for more development time, as the general reaction to what has been shown thus far has been "good" rather than "great." Marathon, Bungie's extraction shooter, has also been delayed and is planned to be released in 2025.

Other news ???

Otherwise, since Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, Xbox's leadership has been restructured, with former corporate vice president Sarah Bond being named its president.

Xbox is also making changes that will directly affect players, such as prohibiting the use of unauthorized third-party accessories on its consoles, including devices that allow players to use keyboard and mouse controls in games where they shouldn't.

In the retro space, Atari has announced the acquisition of Digital Eclipse, the studio responsible for several well-received ports of older titles such as the Mega Man Legacy Collection. ??

And, following the success of the Pinocchio-inspired Lies of P, its director has confirmed that a sequel is in the works, as well as providing fans with a sneak peek at its upcoming DLC.

???Xbox reorganizes its studios and leadership following Activision Blizzard acquisition

???Xbox will begin blocking players from using "unauthorized accessories" next month

???Atari set to acquire retro developer Digital Eclipse

???Lies of P director confirms plans for a sequel and reveals DLC details

Our?LinkedIn?and?X?accounts have been hives of activity again since the last newsletter:

Everyone's favorite weekly remote jobs roundup here on?LinkedIn has a very nice mixture of roles this week, especially for the designers out there.

Some highlights include sportswear brand Nike looking for a producer to launch a new "immersive gaming world," and esports organization Misfits is planning to enter the game development space and is currently searching for a level designer. ??

Don't forget, there are plenty of remote positions available across the globe?on Hitmarker! ??

Spooky season may be over, but internship season is still going strong! ??

This week on?X, we rounded up ten new paid internship positions available at some of gaming's biggest companies, including Activision, Blizzard, and Ubisoft.

If nothing stands out, feel free to check out?the?rest of the open?internship roles?on Hitmarker. We're still adding to the list every weekday.

The end ??

You never know what's going to happen in this industry, with layoffs, acquisitions, and game announcements popping up at any given moment, but we're expecting big things from Xbox in the coming months.?

We'll see you again next week to catch up on some (hopefully) more positive news, though we're not promising anything!?

Best wishes from all of us,

Danny and the gang at Hitmarker ??