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Amazon plans to build its tallest skyscraper in Bellevue, WA
Amazon is preparing to build a big presence in Bellevue, WA, the affluent suburb of Seattle where it was originally founded. The company on Tuesday began the permitting process for Bellevue 600, a 43-story tower in the city's downtown that will accommodate an estimated 4,200 workers, reported The Seattle Times. Not only will the building be the largest built by Amazon, it will be the largest in the city. The anticipated completion date for the tower is 2024.
Valve looking for hardware testers, rate how well you like Valve first
Valve is seeking people to test out some of its hardware prototypes, along with released and unreleased games. Right now its looking for people around Valve's offices, in the Seattle or Bellevue area, but it may conduct remote testing in the future, so everyone is invited to fill out a playtester survey.The survey asks, among other questions, how many years you've been playing games, for your favorite game, which difficulty you typically play on, your overall impression of Valve games, if you get motion sickness when playing first-person shooters and who the beneficiary on your life insurance policy is. OK, we made that last one up, but coming from the company that created Aperture Science, it's not too outlandish.Looks like Valve is getting the ball rolling on its oft-rumored hardware-distribution arm. Which might in fact be a real arm that distributes hardware. You just never know with Valve.
Dumbest kids in the universe rob gas station for money to buy 360
According to a report from a Bellevue, WA news station, four boys, ages 11 through 15, were recently charged with armed robbery after allegedly holding up a local Chevron Food Stop using an airsoft pistol. The goal of their crime of the century was to yoink enough money to purchase an Xbox 360. According to the police report, the boys got away with around $200 -- just enough to purchase a 360 Arcade and no games -- before being caught by an officer shortly thereafter. The amount of thought that went into this thing is just staggering. By a stroke of coincidence, four men across town were apprehended after robbing a local GameStop to garner money with which to purchase Slurpees and Taco Dogs at a nearby Speedway. More at eleven.
NCsoft Seattle hiring for console programmers
What layoffs? In the wake of the recent "structural changes" from NCsoft, it appears they're now entering a strong wave of hiring, according to Gamasutra and the job section of their PlayNC.com website. Yet, it's not so much the fact that they're hiring, it's the fact that one of their many positions include a Programmer/Engineer for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Speculation has arisen that this may be related to something ArenaNet is doing, although it's important to note that NCsoft makes the distinction between Bellevue, Washington, where ArenaNet is located and Seattle, Washington, where NCsoft West's headquarters are located.But if you want to actually talk about ArenaNet jobs, we can certainly do that. Currently, they're hiring for 14 positions, including Web Development, Programmers and Artists. If you think you have what it takes, head on over to their jobs board and see what they have for you. We look forward to hearing more about what NCsoft and ArenaNet have in store.[Thanks Nirolak!]
Snapped! Xbox 360 camera caught on camera
We received some exclusive images this morning of the "Xbox Live Camera Demo Station" at Microsoft's recent XFEST event, held in Bellevue, Washington last month. Our tipster sent in shots and descriptions from the three different demos on display at the event: "Xbox Live Camera Video Chat", facial mapping software from digimask, even a tank game that incorporates video into the game! More below the fold.[Thanks, anonymous benefactor!]
