This Week’s [a]list Jobs – August 28

 “We need to rediscover our entrepreneurial instincts and use them to forge new sorts of careers.” And more awesome career advice from LinkedIn’s billionaire founder Reid Hoffman. 

This week’s [a]list jobs:

[a]list daily is now your source for the hottest job openings for senior management and marketing in games, entertainment and social media. Check here every Wednesday for the latest openings. To see last week’s [a]list jobs click here. 

Microsoft Stores Display Xbox One

It’s not uncommon to feature systems in stores before they release in order to give consumers an idea of what they’re going to be getting when they purchase them. Microsoft is using this practice a little bit early, and has begun putting Xbox One consoles on display in its Microsoft stores.

Though the system itself isn’t playable, it is an exact replica of the system that people will be able to snag when it’s released later this year. The items on display include the Xbox One console, the Xbox One controller and the Xbox One Kinect device. From what we’ve seen, they’re quite slick, and a bit bulky in size, especially the system.

No word yet when the system will be playable in stores, but it’s likely to be sooner rather than later.

The Xbox One will release later this year.

Source: The Verge

GameStop Managers Get Sony Love

Some people can’t wait to get their hands on a PlayStation 4 this holiday season. A select few – namely GameStop managers – will be able to get one for free.

The company’s GameStop EXPO, which is happening this week in Las Vegas, is where a number of managers are gathering to see upcoming games for the holiday season. To entice them with its next-generation of hardware and software, Sony is reportedly offering a free PlayStation 4 system and seven games – Killzone: Shadow Fall, NBA 2K14, Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14, Need For Speed: Rivals, Battlefield 4 and the PlayStation 3 game Beyond: Two Souls – to said managers.

It’s a brilliant way to make sure GameStop managers will be very familiar with the PS4, and thus more likely to be effective at selling the systems. Microsoft, Nintendo – what’s your response?

The PlayStation 4 releases on November 15 in the U.S. and November 29 in Europe.

Source: Joystiq

Luigi’s Parkour Dreams

Those of you who thought Luigi did nothing but sit around all day and sleep – like he does in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team for the Nintendo 3DS – will be proven wrong with Nintendo’s latest live-action video. Titled Finding Luigi: Legend of Parkour, the trailer highlights how Mario’s slimmer brother is actually rather spry, performing a number of stunts and techniques that have him outperforming Mario at every turn. The video features interviews with Luigi’s “closest friends and colleagues,” as well as plenty of cool moves from the parkour player portraying Luigi.

The video ties in with the recently released New Super Luigi Bros. U, available now for Wii U.

 

How To Choose A Winning #Hashtag

Twitter UK recently released an infographic illustrating the best practices for using the darling of Twitter, the hashtag. Some of the highlights in the flowchart include basic knowledge like how to best integrate the hashtag as part of an advertising campaign, but other tips delve deeper into making the hashtag topical in the news or employing ways to make sure your hashtag has lasting value.

Editorial manager of Twitter UK Gordon McMillan explained that often times brands don’t really need too put in too much creative effort, but better research saying, “If people are already using a hashtag, and having conversations, part of your work is already done. All your brand needs to do is ensure that when it joins that conversation it is valued.”

In fact, “One way to make sure it is memorable is through media integration. The best hashtags are tightly integrated with other marketing activity from TV advertising, to press ads and direct mail material,” says McMillan.

What are some of your tips for creating the best hashtag? Share in the comments below! 

 

 

 

Race For Pink Slips

Cie Games is revving up fans with a launch trailer for Racing Rivals, its free-to-play drag racing game shipping for iOS on August 29. Supporting the game launch with Cie, which has roots as a marketing firm working on car brands, is flagship sponsor Nitto Tires.  The game also features an extensive list of licensed cars and auto parts brands.

A first glimpse of Racing Rivals draws an immediate comparison to NaturalMotion’s bestselling mobile racer CSR Racing, but Cie’s game runs deeper.  It features live lobbies and real-time head-to-head racing, where other games have had asynchronous racing that pits players against an opponent’s clocked time. Fueling the drive to play, and eventually pay for upgrades and parts, is an in-game betting system where players can go “all-in” with their cash or put up their pink slip.

Look for our exclusive story on how Cie Games leveraged success with branded games to become a racing game maker with a dedicated fan following.

 

Hall Of Famers Hype ‘Madden 25’

Madden NFL 25 ships today, so get excited for the game and football season in general with these interviews with football greats Dan Marino, Marcus Allen and Warren Moon.  The Hall of Fame trio talked to Gamerhub.tv at the Madden NFL Pigskin Pro-Am, an annual EA-sponsored event that pits NFL players and other celebrities in a game of flag football.

Marino, who led the Gamers team against the Famers, thinks Madden games have helped football as a gateway for kids into the sport. Allen calls the franchise “synonymous” with football.  Moon drops a Tecmo Bowl reference.