CA NEWS
New Job Opening, Capcom Interview April 14, 2008
We've closed our Technical Artist position, but have opened up another position, this time for a badass
IT Systems Administrator. If you're this particular ninja we'd love to
hear from you!
While you're brushing up on your IT skills also check out this
Gamasutra interview
with our good friend Christian Svensson, Capcom's VP of Strategic Planning & Business Development.
It's a great read, a rare honest glimpse at a publisher's mindset, and should give you a good idea
why we chose to partner with Capcom for Plunder.
Gamasutra Interview April 6, 2008
Max Hoberman spoke with Brandon Sheffield from Gamasutra at Capcom's Digital Day event. Read the full transcript
here. Topics include Plunder,
of course, but also the formation of Certain Affinity, platform politics, the politics of hexes, developing our own
engine, and other sundry bits.
Hiring Status Update March 21, 2008
We've seen an amazing amount of interest in our job openings, and especially in the designer position. This has been filled,
but we've never seen so many great designers before, so it was a tough call. Thanks everyone for applying, and sorry
we couldn't reach every one of you personally.
We do still have two openings, one for an Environment Artist and one for a
Technical Artist.
Plunder Previews March 14, 2008
Just a day after the online announcement of Plunder there are already a number of previews from press that
got hands-on time with the game at Capcom's Digital Day. Here's a list
of those we know about and a choice quote from each. Aaaarrr!!!
Ahoy, Matey! March 13, 2008
Our piratey real time action strategy game Plunder has been officially announced
for Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network, and Windows! We've partnered with Capcom to help bring the title to all
three platforms late Spring/early Summer. Go here for details.
Gettin' All Up In Our Business March 5, 2008
UPDATE We've filled this position, thanks for your interest!
Yes, we just opened another position, this time for what will be our first dedicated non-development role: we're
looking for an outstanding Business Operations Manager. If you know business
like nobody's business this might be the perfect opportunity to get your foot in the door at a handsome young
game company!
We Don't Condone Pirating March 4, 2008
Word is starting to leak about our
latest endeavor, an original title called Plunder featured in the April issue of EGM magazine and being
published by Capcom. We can't say much about the game yet except confirm that it's not a cruel April Fool's
joke, but is indeed a real, honest to goodness pirating action RTS! We'll have more info available in the very near future.
Two More Job Openings February 25, 2008
In addition to the Level Builder position from a few days ago we've just opened up positions for
an Environment Artist and for a Technical Artist.
We have some incredible projects in the works, join us now instead of having regrets later!
New Job Opening February 23, 2008
We've just opened up a position for a Level Builder. If you have experience
and talent making beautiful and fantastically fun game environments take a look!
Romantic Gifts February 14, 2008
As a special Valentine's Day treat here's that shot of Left 4 Dead on the cover of Official Xbox Magazine that we promised.
So now that we've managed to keep our word once about a pending update we'll up the stakes and go for a second time.
We have new positions about to open up so check back again soon!
Oh, and while you're in the mood also check out what's possibly the greatest article written on any web site, ever:
Skip Weasel's Guide to Love
Cat Outta The Bag February 4, 2008
The latest issue of OXM blew the cover on our involvement with Valve and Left 4 Dead. We can now confirm that yes,
indeed, we are working on this most awesome game and are responsible for the Xbox 360 version. Visit
the official Left 4 Dead web site for the gory details.
We'll post a shot of the magazine cover as soon as possible. Be sure to check back soon, we plan on updating
this site more frequently now that this is public and with progress on our other game progressing quickly.
It's Our Birthday! November 19, 2007
Alright, well it's a little more than a year since our immaculate conception, but who's counting?
It has certainly been memorable. One of our designers, Mike "Clopticon" Clopper, put together a
short list of highlights and memorable moments (including some we'd rather forget).
Hiring Spree Ending October 29, 2007
We've been on a hiring rampage but we're full, exhausted, and finally ready to rest. Check
back soon and we'll post some background on our fab 5 new hires. This brings our headcount
to a whopping 16. To everyone that applied but didn't get an offer, we really appreciate your
passion and your interest in Certain Affinity, and we had to make some unusually hard decisions.
Don't give up, check back soon for more openings!
New Job Opening! September 24, 2007
Let no one say we don't know how to ask for help. We're looking for a multi-talented
individual to join us as assistant producer/office manager.
What the?!! September 14, 2007
Prolonged Silence August 24, 2007
Alright, so we've obviously been doing something since finishing up the Halo 2 map pack. (And no, not just
playing games!) Actually, two somethings, both of which we can't say anything about! Mum's the word, and
unfortunately our poor web site ends up lonely and dejected. What we can say is that we'll be making a couple of
announcements later this year. In the meantime did we mention that we're hiring? Apply now to
beat the rush!
We've Moved! July 10, 2007
Certain Affinity has upgraded to a new "executive" suite. We have the
exclusive shots to prove it.
Shishka = Blog May 15, 2007
Our very own Shishka has his very own blog. Please help us keep tabs
on him to make sure he doesn't leak any critical information. So far he's just rambling about how he got hired at Certain
Affinity. If only he knew the truth.
Map Update News May 10, 2007
Bungie is reporting that our
maps will be integrated into matchmaking later this evening, along with a playlist update. Make sure you download the updated
version of Tombstone first, we made a few minor fixes to some issues that cropped up in the final build and that both we and
Bungie's test team overlooked. There will also be a complete reset of ranks to coincide with the matchmaking update. They're
also reporting that both maps will be available for free in early July. We think that's awesome, especially given the
difficulty so many people have had getting them to download properly.
I'm also happy to announce that we have a MySpace site. Why do we have a MySpace site? I have no idea. But
here it is. Check out the pics from our Blastacular Map Pack launch party!
Fan Site and Map Download Fixes May 2, 2007
We're thrilled to report on the creation of the first ever CA fan site!
CertainAffinity.net is now online and promises to not only keep
tabs on us, but also has some exclusive content coming soon that we're sure you'll enjoy!
In other news, Bungie is finally
reporting that the map downloading
problems have been fixed. Woohoo! Sorry we haven't been able to keep you up to date, these sorts of things are out of our
hands and unfortunately we're not able to comment on them. Frankie hints at more news to come, we definitely recommend you
check back soon!
Halo 2 Maps Released! April 17, 2007
Tombstone and Desolation are now available on Xbox Live. Remember, use the in-game downloader to get these,
they're not available through Marketplace (more on this
here).
We hope you have as much fun playing these maps as we had making them!
Halo 2 Map Bonanza! April 11, 2007
We've posted a whole slew of new screenshots from our Halo 2 maps and a bunch of exclusive concept art.
Go check it out! These maps will be available for download on Xbox Live in exactly one week,
next Tuesday the 17th.
Bungie.net has posted an interview
with our art lead, Chris Wood, talking about the inspiration and process behind the creation of the visuals for these maps.
It's a great read, don't miss it!
And finally, HaloGrid.com is hosting an Affinity Machinima Challenge
on our new Halo 2 maps! They're asking people to submit their best machinima featuring Tombstone and Desolation,
competing in 4 categories--action, comedy, montage, and music video. And yes, there are cash prizes. Are we eligible?
CA vs. Bungie: Humpday Challenge April 5, 2007
We took on Bungie in a 4v4 challenge on our new Halo 2 maps. Read all about it in Frankie's most humble
writeup!
CA Interview on Bungie.net April 4, 2007
Bungie has posted an interview
with Max Hoberman about the new maps and about CA's future.
In other news, Shishka has been demoted from company photographer.
Halo 2 Map Details on Bungie.net April 2, 2007
We've been so busy putting the final touches on Tombstone that we forgot to mention Frankie's
weekly update,
which is devoted almost entirely to shedding some light on these new maps. Thanks for the props, Frankie!
More to come, stay tuned.
Halo 2 Maps Revealed! March 30, 2007
Microsoft just sent out a press release announcing the two maps that we've developed for Halo 2! And yes,
one of them is a remake of Hang 'Em High! Read about it in their official press release.
"Halo 2" Fans Prepare for Battle as Exclusive New Maps Expand the Most Popular Title on Xbox LIVE
We've also posted an official screenshot of
Tombstone,
our Hang 'Em High remake, and of
Desolation. These maps
are scheduled for release for both Xbox 360 and Xbox (oh yeah, baby!) on April 17th, but check back soon, we've been
working with Bungie's community team and we hope to have a few goodies to share prior to that date.
Gamasutra Interview February 12, 2007
Max Hoberman spoke with Gamasutra
about his time at Bungie and working on the Halo series, the formation of Certain Affinity, and the future of the new company.
CA Talks With GamesIndustry.biz January 23, 2006
GamesIndustry.biz stopped by a while back to chat with our president, Max Hoberman, and with Martin Galway, our audio
director and manager of operations. The full interview can be found
here.
CA News Roundup (Giddyup!) January 21, 2006
Happy belated New Year everyone! Sorry we haven't been posting much, it's related to that bit about not having much to
say until we're ready to show something. There is a bit of news out there though....
Games in Action has posted an
interview with Shishka, our
resident technical artist. Shishka sheds some light on his ignominious entry into game development, tries to avoid leaking
anything about CA, and is generally far too bold. Worthy reading for aspiring developers of all shapes and sizes.
FiringSquad also has an interview from December that we neglected to tell you about, this time
talking with Max Hoberman, our
resident fearless leader.
Interview With CA's Founder December 16, 2006
GameArena has posted an interview
with Max Hoberman. Topics include philosophy behind the online strategy for the Halo games, the future direction of online
gaming, and where CA is headed.
Announcement News Roundup December 14, 2006
Now that we've dropped our drawers, so to speak, people are taking note. We've pulled together some links to
articles about our formation (thanks for the coverage!) as well as a few choice
quotes from some of our most stalwart fans.
Welcome to Certain Affinity!!! December 13, 2006
Today was a big day for CA! We put out our first public press release, announcing our immaculate conception and spilling
the beans on our strategic partnership with Bungie and Microsoft developing multiplayer maps for Halo 2. Read all about it!
CERTAIN AFFINITY, INC. PARTNERS WITH MICROSOFT GAME STUDIOS TO DEVELOP HALO CONTENT
Our friends and former colleagues at Bungie also posted an
interview with Max Hoberman, our fearless leader, to discuss his leaving
and his contribution to Halo 3.
Finally, don't forget that we have an open position for a Lead Environment Artist. If you
have the vision and expertise to fill this role apply now!
