14 DAY TRIAL // Video game hardware developer Microsoft might be officially stating that it is not currently working on a new home console, but at least two job ads suggest that the console is real and that developers are already creating titles for it.
A Microsoft job listing, which has been taken down by the company, said, “The ISS Console Multimedia Team, responsible for designing and developing the next generation console, is looking for a highly motivated and skilled audio developer.
“If you love gaming, game audio and music, then join us as an integral part of the team tasked to revolutionize audio for the next generation of Xbox.”
At the same time Turn 10, the studio responsible for the Forza Motorsport series of racing games that are exclusive to the Xbox platform, has posted a job ad for the position of cinematic art director that mentioned the next-generation home console from Microsoft.
David Dennis, who is the leader of the corporate public relations department at Microsoft, has said via Twitter that, “There will be no new Xbox hardware to be shown/discussed at E3 or anytime soon. For us, 2012 is all about Xbox 360.”
The current-generation Microsoft home console has managed to perform very well during the last year, topping the United States hardware chart while also managing to push its overall sales numbers up just as the industry entered a period of decline.
Microsoft is keen to exploit this frontrunner position and a premature announcement of the Xbox 720 might mean a decrease in sales of both hardware and video games.
Sony, Microsoft’s main rival, has also refused to confirm the existence of its own next-generation console and is insisting that it has a 10-year life plan for the current PlayStation 3.
Nintendo will launch the Wii U home console during this year on all major markets.