Blizz posts job openings for mobile developers
by Eliah Hecht 
May 4th 2007 at 9:33PM
Apparently Blizzard is looking for a few good people to work on unspecified projects for mobile platforms. Might this have something to do with a mobile WoW-related app? Of course, it could also be something completely unrelated. Still, pretty much ever since the iPhone was announced, there's been speculation about a possible "WoW Lite" for it that would let you check the AH, maybe chat with your guildies, and so forth. I know I'd certainly be a bit more tempted to grab an iPhone if I knew it was going to have some WoW capabilities. On the other hand, this could easily oppose my girlfriend to the device...
I think all I'd want in a WoW Lite client would be AH, chat, tradeskills, and maybe a talent calculator. After all, I still don't think it'd be possible to do much "real" gameplay on a small screen with no mouse/keyboard, even if the platform could handle it (which I doubt). What would you guys like to see WoW Lite include, if such a thing every got made? Oh, by the way, the image above is a quick Photoshop I did when the "WoW on iPhone" rumor first came out, not some sort of secret spy photo. The job postings are copied after the cut; see if you can make anything of them.
Mobile Producer
Blizzard Entertainment is looking for a highly organized individual with outstanding communication abilities to manage the process of bringing Blizzard-IP-related functions into the mobile space. The ideal candidate has experience managing resources and seeing projects from inception to completion. Self-direction and follow-up skills are a must, and experience working within the mobile development space is mandatory. For more information please check out the job listing here.
Lead Mobile Software Engineer
Blizzard Entertainment is looking for an individual to lead a mobile development programming team. The ideal applicant will possess outstanding communication and coordination skills and be capable of leading a group of programmers in bringing Blizzard-IP-related functions to the mobile space. The candidate would be experienced with web-related technologies, MIDP and CLDC development on the J2ME platform, WAP, and WML. Blizzard offers a fun, creative and technically challenging environment with excellent compensation and a full range of benefits. For more information please check out the job listing here.
Lead Mobile UI Designer
Blizzard Entertainment is looking for a talented, self-motivated individual with experience in UI design and implementation for handheld devices to help lead our efforts into the mobile space. The ideal candidate is a designer with a deep understanding of the unique opportunities and limitations of the platform who can help formulate the strategic design goals of our mobile efforts. The lead mobile UI designer must have the capacity both to create and to direct others to create clean designs that balance the Blizzard art style with the specific needs of the mobile audience. For more information please check out the job listing here.
[via Blizzplanet]
Filed under: Odds and ends, Blizzard
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris M May 4th 2007 10:32PM
I think the idea of a 'WOW Lite' is really, really stupid. Forgive me for saying so.
It's a game. As much as we consider it a lifestyle, it's not a job. It's a game. Anyone that 'needs' their AH, chat, and tradeskills ALL THE TIME- on little 3" screens has a serious need for a real life. I'm stepping on toes, but someone has to agree this is a bit excessive. It is a game.
Naturally, if WOW does something like this, plenty of people will invest in it, because they think they need it... and Blizzard will get the cash they want, because that's how the world works...
I certainly won't be buying in though.
Chris
MartinC May 4th 2007 10:41PM
Agreed. Mobile WoW is a really, really stupid idea.
Chives May 4th 2007 11:36PM
Agreed indeed.
Jesse Fornear May 4th 2007 11:39PM
When World of Starcraft comes out, It better have the full mobile capabilities to allow for pwning noobs in class.
Eliah Hecht May 4th 2007 11:39PM
Well, here's the thing. I wouldn't want mobile WoW because I "need" to have WoW access all the time. I'd want it because it'd be nice to be able to do little things while in waiting rooms, or during other such RL downtime. It's the same reason I'd like to be able to check email on my phone (without paying ridiculous fees >_>), or that I always carry a book around. It's just nice to have something to do when you don't have anything to do.
I wouldn't pay money for mobile WoW, but I'd use it from time to time if it was free.
doobtray May 4th 2007 11:45PM
It's no secret people, game companies are looking to make big bucks on a new mobile mmo.
MG Midget May 4th 2007 11:50PM
Imagine if you could use your phone to check the AH, see your Friends list, message people in game (or out), and so on. Do you realize how much that would make the game even more addictive? You'd be sitting there watching a movie and some friend in-game messages you with "Log in we're doing ZF" and you'd be like "Hell yea!" Or you see you got outbid on something in AH so hop on just to bid, or you scan AH from out of game to look for items, etc.
Do things like that and you'd ratchet the whole addiction thing up another order of magnitude.
Whut May 5th 2007 2:11AM
Only noobs run ZF.
sarah May 9th 2007 3:09AM
i'm not looking forward to the iphone. i wouldn't want to play wow on it. however, to answer the question, the only thing i would be interested in would be scanning the AH for my main characters, so i wouldn't have to do it when i'm at home. and if i'm waiting somewhere and need to kill some time, i'd rather play with my nintendo ds.
kitterz May 5th 2007 5:37AM
whoa post #1 you almost seem insulted by the notion of WoW mobile and bitter that Blizz stands to make a profit on this speculated project.
i wouldnt sign up for this service if it costs money but it's no reason for me to "vent" about it.
Chris M May 5th 2007 10:47AM
@10 - If it does, it's because I am.
We're the common consumer, I think it's insulting to our intelligence that, as I mentioned, blizzard could really push through a product like this- and people really would buy in. #7 touched on this perfectly. You're at home watching a movie and you get a WOWMsg. Or you're at the office and get a outbid notice so you login on your phone and rebid. It's addiction +1 for your offhand. Kitterz, you mean to tell me you don't seem insulted by the fact that blizzard would consider doing this (even if they aren't?)
Eliah, I see your point, and it would be valid if we were talking about e-mail, or text messaging even; but this is WOW- a game. E-mail has become a standard for communication in business and personal use, so has text messaging (my company uses it quazi-frequently for quick messages), allowing you to take aspects of the MMO with you EVERYWHERE just doesn't seem healthy.
You're in bed and your guildmates from California message you and say they got a 'X' group, and need a healer.
You're at dinner with your significant other, and that ONE item you've been looking for comes up on the AH.
Really guys. We just can't let the world we have revolve around the game. As much as I love it.
Besides, my wife would kill me.
Chris
John May 5th 2007 12:14PM
oh my god, if someone asked me to log in to do ZF, i'd kill them. (just kidding, but kinda....)
i still think it'd be cool to have some mini-game type stuff to earn gold IRL.
John May 5th 2007 12:21PM
@11 - "allowing you to take aspects of the MMO with you EVERYWHERE just doesn't seem healthy"
whatever....not healthy? it's just an option - take advantage of it if you want, or don't...dont understand how that's not healthy....its up to each person to have moderation, not blizzard
MG Midget May 5th 2007 1:07PM
I agree with the "It's not health" comments as well, but I don't think Blizzard cares.
Case in point, I cancelled a while back giving "I play too much" as my reason. A week later, Blizzard sends me a "play 10 days free" offer. Ah the smell of money...
len May 5th 2007 4:34PM
As a mobile software developer I'm really getting a kick out of these replies...
No, really, I am. As I said in that iPhone thread, no mobile has the horsepower to run WoW. And a simplified chat/AH application is unlikely, because exposing programmatic interfaces to those systems to the wild and woolly internet is a recipe for disaster. You think automated gold farmer spam is a problem now...
It is likely they are producing a mobile-specific game based on an existing franchise. If they are smart it will have MMO elements, but I doubt it will tie into WoW. Remember, they wouldn't even let the card game give people items that would constitute an advantage.