Recruiting genius, or just dumb luck? You decide...

Although this article is pretty dated, I was still able to get some valuable insight... "Bungie recruiting for Halo 3?" http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=58158

Here is a clip…

"A report from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer this week claims that Bungie is gearing up for development of a third installment in the Halo first-person shooter series with a serious recruitment drive. Drawing attention to job adverts on the developer's website - including openings for an AI engineer, art production manager and lead character animator - the Seattle P-I claims that the Redmond-based studio is actually seeking to nearly double its staff, recruiting for a total of 60 positions. Microsoft today declined to comment, sticking to the company line that it does not comment on "rumours or speculation"…

There is so much power in rumors, speculation and educated guesses (as anyone who works in the tabloid press can attest) that often goes untapped when it comes to recruiting. Consider the rumor of Halo #3. Is it true? Is it false? The correct answer is… it does not matter. Once I read this I immediately thought that it would A) spark sales of Halo 1 & Halo 2 and B) Get Game developers salivating for the chance to code Halo 3. I wonder how many gamers read this same article, or heard the (I’m sure) resulting tidal wave of word-of-mouth, and rushed to apply or buzz their contacts inside the company to ask about it. (And if someone calls in to ask about a position, surely they can be convinced to take a closer look?)

You know what the best part of this is? Game Developers do not grow on trees and to find really good ones, well, it’s an art form. Yet, with one rumor, the entire gaming community is buzzing and among them game developers. How much did this cost Bungie? I speculate, not much, if anything at all. A whisper to a blogger here, a sly comment in a forum and ka-boom!!! Instant buzz and queries from qualified (or semi-qualified developers) chomping at the bit (resumes in hand) over an unverified rumor. And get this; spam did not get them to come. Cold-calling into the company did not sway them. All who came (and I speak in speculation), applied on their own without a recruiter’s seduction.

Like I said, recruiting genius!!! Or, dumb luck? You decide…