The Midweek Memo #006

Ahoy???

Wow, there’s a lot to catch up on this week!?

Microsoft held its Xbox business update on Thursday, confirming that four of its games would be coming to the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch this year. It also revealed that it is working on delivering the "largest technical leap you will have ever seen" with its next console.?

Nintendo has also jumped into the mix?after it was reported?that it had internally delayed its next console until 2025, with the system now expected before the end of Q1 of that year.?

PlayStation has been making moves in the software department with the release of Helldivers 2, which has quickly become the most-played PlayStation PC release, outperforming all other titles combined. If you've been on social media recently, you’ll already have heard about it! ???

Last—and very much least—Embracer Group has provided an update on its restructuring program, confirming that it is nearing completion. Around 8% of the company’s workforce has been let go so far.

Hot Jobs???

There are a ton of remote opportunities in this week's top 10 list, which we always love to see:

[1] Professional Gamer

???1v1Me ?? Remote Anywhere????Freelance ??? 2+ years exp

[2] Game Designer Skating AAA Video Game

?? MBS Studios ?? Remote Anywhere??? Freelance ??? 0+ years exp?

[3] Community Manager (Indie Games) IV

?? Infernozilla ?? Remote Anywhere??? Freelance ??? 1+ year exp?

[4] Videogame Tester, Brazilian-Portuguese

?? EA ???? Madrid ?? Temp ??? 0+ years exp?

[5] QA Tester

?? DECA Games ?? Remote Anywhere ?? Full Time ??? 1–2 years exp?

[6] QA Tester (New Grad)

?? Good Job Games ???? Istanbul ?? Full Time ??? 0+ years exp?

[7] Growth Marketing Manager

?? Yodo1 ?? Remote Anywhere??? Full Time ??? 2+ years exp?

[8] Rocket League Coach

?? Esports Tower ?? Remote Anywhere??? Freelance ??? 1+ year exp?

[9] Unity Guild Community Manager

?? Twitch ???? Remote USA ?? Full Time ??? 3+ years exp?

[10] Game Designer

?? Ubisoft ???? Halifax, NS ?? Full Time ??? 1+ year exp?

If your ideal role isn’t in this collection, we've posted?over 150 other listings?since our last newsletter. We hope there’s something for you there! ??

Big News???

???Xbox will bring four of its exclusives to PS5 and Switch, but Game Pass will remain on its own platforms

• Microsoft has confirmed that four of its exclusive Xbox titles—Grounded, Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and Sea of Thieves—will be released on PS5 and Switch later this year to ensure the "long-term health of Xbox."
• Bethesda's Starfield and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will not be released on other platforms, despite rumors that both games were under consideration for the strategy. Game Pass will also remain exclusive to Xbox platforms, shutting down reports of?plans to expand its subscription service to non-Microsoft?systems.
• It was noted that the decision to go multi-platform with the handful of titles did not represent a change in Xbox's "fundamental exclusivity strategy," and that there is "no promise" of?future releases.?

Other News ???

With Microsoft's Xbox business update, we also received confirmation?that the company would not be leaving the console business, despite previous concerns. Instead, President Sarah Bond stated that multiple hardware releases are in the works and that Xbox is working on "delivering the largest technical leap you will have ever seen in a hardware generation." ???

Nintendo also made headlines this week?after multiple outlets reported that the company's next console has been delayed internally to Q1 2025 rather than late 2024. This caused its share price to fall just one week after its all-time high.?

PlayStation has seen success this month with the release of Arrowhead's Helldivers 2. Despite server issues, the shooter has quickly become a fan favorite, setting a new record for the largest PlayStation PC launch, with more players than?all?of its previous releases combined.?

Embracer Group has now provided an update on its restructuring program, revealing that just under 1,400 studio employees have been laid off since the program began, accounting for 8% of the company's workforce. Unfortunately, it stated that even though the program is?coming to an end, we could see more layoffs.?

?? Xbox president claims its next-generation console will be "the largest technical leap you will have ever seen"

?? Nintendo's next console will reportedly arrive in 2025; company shares drop

?? Helldivers 2's Steam launch is bigger than all other PlayStation PC launches combined

?? Embracer Group has laid off 8% of its workforce during its restructuring program

Getting Social???

Here are a couple of our favorite posts from here on LinkedIn in the last seven days:

We picked out the finest?entry and junior-level jobs?for this week's thread!?

Rockstar, Nintendo, Activision, and other companies have a diverse range of positions available remotely and on-site worldwide in various departments.?

If nothing in this roundup grabs your attention, there are currently more than?150 entry/junior vacancies?available on Hitmarker right now. ??

A unique little collect-a-thon Metroidvania hybrid?caught our eye?this week.?

A Rat's Life: The Cat Conspiracy, created by solo indie developer J.G.B., allows you to play as a rat from a first-person perspective, with a set of skills inspired by real-life rat behaviors as well as fast and agile movement for exploration.?

Fans of classic titles like Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day are bound to love?this game, especially with its comedic dialogue and narrative.?

A Rat's Life has no set release date yet, but those interested can?download the demo from Steam right now.

The End ??

Relatively good news from the big three all at once is uncommon these days, so we're a lot happier with the newsletter week!?

Let's just hope Embracer's layoffs end sooner rather than later, eh??

Also, just a reminder that Nintendo will hold a Direct Partner Showcase today at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm BST, focusing on third-party Switch developers.?

Best wishes from all of us here in still-rainy Newcastle,?

Danny and the gang at Hitmarker ??