14 DAY TRIAL // Aspyr Media, a well known video-game publisher for the Mac platform, is looking for an experienced programmer to assist with porting an unannounced, new AAA game from Windows over to Mac OS X.
“Aspyr Media, Inc. is a full-service, first-class development studio and publisher that provides Mac, PC, console and handheld development and publishing services,” the company states. “We have published and developed AAA titles such as The Sims, Guitar Hero, Call of Duty and hundreds more,” Aspyr says, according to its profile listed at Gamasutra. “Aspyr is porting a[n] AAA game title from PC to Mac and needs engineering assistance with various game development tasks,” its announcement reads.
The person Aspyr is looking to hire for an AAA title needs to have two to five years of experience with programming commercial Mac applications/games in C++, the ability to work with large existing code bases, understanding of multi-threaded programming, and debugging and porting abilities. Pluses include experience with graphics, sound, or networking, and Windows and Mac development experience. The company also lists the estimated pay for this position, which ranges between 35.00 and 55.00 (most likely US dollars) per year. Required experience is two years, while the essential minimum education level is a Bachelor's Degree. Work will be done on site, Aspyr says.
Softpedia reported back in May that Aspyr Media had announced an initiative that enabled Mac owners to get free copies of games. Although the company failed to make it clear exactly what titles were targeted, the rules seemed fairly simple – “submit a Mac game review, get a free game!” Aspyr asked interested parties to do concise writeups with no spoilers, relevant screenshots, and more. A complete list of “things to keep in mind” for the reviewer was provided. The web page Aspyr linked to for gamers looking to benefit from this initiative has since been removed.