MS begins work on next Xbox

Microsoft has begun recruiting hardware engineers to work on a new console platform, indicating that it will soon begin work on the successor to the Xbox 360.

Microsoft has yet to issue firm confirmation, but three new job adverts have appeared on LinkedIn, each putting heavy focus on designing new console architectures.

The roles currently being advertising include Graphics Hardware Architect, Senior Architect and Performance Engineer for the Xbox Console Architecture Group and Senior Hardware Design Verification Engineer.

'[The applicant must be] responsible for defining and delivering next-generation console architectures from conception through implementation,' reads one of the adverts, as originally reported by Eurogamer.

'The ideal candidate will have been the lead architect and/or implementation lead of a 3D graphics core. The candidate must have taken designs from investigation to end-customer shipment during their career...Our group is involved in product definition from early evaluation all the way through high volume manufacturing.'

While history would normally suggest that a new Xbox console would be arriving this year or next, the console market is currently looking at a much longer shelf-life. Microsoft in particular views the recent launch of Xbox Kinect as a 'console refresh' - so don't expect to see the new Xbox on shelves for a few years yet, at least.

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