Microsoft has posted several job postings to hire staff for the next-generation Xbox.
The roles were posted to social networking site Linkedin recently. One listing, by the Xbox Console Architecture team, hints that the company is looking for a graphics hardware architect. “The team is responsible for defining and delivering next generation console architectures from conception through implementation,” states the listing.
The second role is for a performance architect. “Our group is involved in product definition from early evaluation all the way through high volume manufacturing,” says Microsoft. “The main focus of this position is on performance evaluation and modeling.”
The final position is for a hardware verification engineer. “Come join a dynamic engineering team and play a key role in the development and verification of the Xbox and future platforms,” says Microsoft. “We are looking for an experienced Senior Hardware Design/Verification Engineer. You will be responsible for the design verification and qualification of the Xbox console at the component, motherboard, and system levels.”
Eurogamer notes that the roles don’t hint at any aspects of the future console. However, Microsoft appears to have confirmed that they are in the early stages of pre-production for the next-generation Xbox. Microsoft is so early on in the development stages that the graphics hardware hasn’t been fully decided and tested. Previous speculation had suggested that Microsoft was further on in the development stages for its next-generation console.
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 gaming console dominated U.S. charts in 2010. Microsoft revealed at CES in January that the company has sold over 50 million Xbox 360 consoles worldwide since launch. Microsoft also has 30 million active Xbox LIVE members and has sold 8 million Kinect sensors in just 60 days on the market. Microsoft is planning to introduce Hulu Plus for U.S. Xbox LIVE subscribers in Spring this year. The software giant will also push out a Spring dashboard update that will include support for the recently announced Avatar Kinect. Microsoft also has the massive Gears of War 3 title on the horizon for 2011 which is likely to set sales records.