Split-Screen :: The Game-Geek’s Daily Read

Most people draw a blank when they hear the name Kung-Fu Factory. As part of JGI Entertainment (who helped develop Mortal Kombat Unchained and Armageddon with Midway), KFF is chock-full of Playstation professionals who’ve worked on titles from Daxter (PSP) to Maximo (PS2), not including multi-platform efforts like Tomb Raider and Dead Space. A little over two years ago, JGI Entertainment/KFF co-founder and President Daryl Pitts clarified his company’s emphasis on Sony consoles. “Our company focuses on whichever platforms we feel are best for our products. The PS2 still has the largest home console user base, and it’s not necessarily wise to abandon this platform just yet.”

Many developers followed this philosophy for success when they signed on for several of their games to be PS3 exclusives. Kung-Fu Factory was one of them, as it created a “state-of-the-art rendering engine that enables massive number of hi-res characters and is optimized specifically for the Sony Playstation 3 console”. As with all devs, however, even a predominantly Sony-experienced KFF is branching out.

Recently, the company put up a job listing for a Senior Xbox 360 Programmer. However, closer observation reveals the development of a multi-platform title, the 360 development of said title in need of professionals.

We are looking for an experienced 360 programmer to spearhead development of the 360 platform portion of a multi-platform title and coordinate junior programmers in the construction of a fully-functioning 360 engine and tools pipeline.

Responsibilities:
- Develop a fully-functional XBox 360 engine based on an existing cross-platform engine.
- Supervise and mentoring junior programmers if necessary.
- Assist in developing XBox 360-specific tools.
- Work with the production and other programming disciplines to create task and schedule estimates for 360 team and track development efforts.
- Continually review the 360 development process and identify areas that need improvement.
- Produce technical references and/or technical constraints document on production wiki.

The listing goes on to state that the “PS3 is our lead SKU”. The real question is: What game is it? KFF is a relatively new start-up. JGI Entertainment itself has associations within associations, including Jailed Games which was previously working on Shaolin Streets for the PS2/PSP before it’s shift to the 360 and subsequent cancellation in 2006. One thing’s for sure: The 360 and PS3 both suit the product.