Microsoft hiring new Xbox console developer

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Isn't it a bit early for that type of stuff? We're barely into this generation.

Microsoft just launched the Xbox One a few months ago, but the company is already looking at the future, as revealed by a new career opportunity ad posted by Redmond’s company, seeking an Industrial Designer.

The Xbox Industrial Design studio is building a world class in house team. We love entertainment. We live for building transformative entertainment experiences that resonate with consumers. We are looking for passionate designers who want to help us create next generation entertainment hardware for Microsoft.

Primary Responsibilities

This is a design position within the Xbox industrial design studio. You will be joining a team that drives vision and product development for Xbox hardware programs. The right candidate will be a “hands on” individual contributor that will bring thought leadership, inspirational creative output, and passion to the Xbox entertainment space. In essence, this position requires nothing less than a “super creator”.

As an industrial designer you will collaborate with design team and bring inventive ideas which will have large impact across the Xbox Entertainment Business.

We expect a spontaneous and innovative creative process that takes advantage of consumer insight harvesting, inspiration way-finding, 3d sketching, prototyping, thoughtful consideration of business needs, and understanding of technical considerations. Above all the candidate should have a portfolio that demonstrates the ability to design soulful product experiences that delight consumers.

The ad also lists “intrinsic passion for seamless hardware/software experiences” and “proven track record delivering award winning design” as requirements.

We shouldn’t really be surprised about Microsoft already starting to plan for the next generation. Hardware designers are never really idle, and at least preliminary research normally starts as soon as the previous generation of hardware is shipped; often ever earlier than that. You can pretty much bet your monthly wage that Sony and Nintendo are doing the same as I’m writing.

And before someone reaches that conclusion, this doesn’t in any way mean that Microsoft is planning to replace the Xbox One any time soon.

In addition to that, a second ad, seeking a Senior Software Development Engineer, clearly identifies the aim to improve the current game development tools used by first and third parties to create their titles on Xbox platforms.

The Xbox Platform Developer Experience team is hiring! We own the core development tools for the Xbox console platform, and we serve as a driving advocate for the end-to-end developer customer experience across the program.We are looking for an exceptional SDE to help us take game development tools to the next level.

Game developers, from AAA studios to Indie shops, have unique and exacting needs. Just think about the factors involved: Game titles are only growing in cost and complexity with each new generation. These days the projects will involve scores of engineers and hundreds of artists. They have budgets and production values that rival Hollywood blockbusters. They have 10’s of gigabytes of content, code tuned to get the utmost from our platform, and holiday release dates that won’t move.

The Xbox ecosystem only thrives if these partners succeed. Our goal is to help them make better games, faster.

Of course, career opportunities are just the tip of the iceberg, and they don’t equate to official announcements, so we might want to wait for clearer signals to start talking too loudly about the Xbox Two. As a matter of fact in this case“next generation” might even mean a future redesign of the Xbox One.

Yet, this is a clear indication that Microsoft’s Xbox division is looking towards the future and getting ready for what will come next.

This gen will last 5 years.

Well they design these consoles years in advance

There was an article no too long ago that both sony and MS were at the drawing board for their next console

This is moving too fast.

It's normal.

We can only hope.

MS saw what Uncharted 4 looked like at @ E3 so they know they need something

I'm sure they are all working on their next consoles but where does it say that's what this position is for? "next generation entertainment hardware" Could be a VR headset or an entirely new project.

Sony looks at bank account. "Oh ****! We can't do this again already!"

This is how all companies run. Get a product out, don't waste any time getting started on the next. Same thing goes for game dev studios, phone companies like apple, microsoft with windows.. etc.

It's a long process going from drawings on a board to final product. Saying that I really hope this gen is 5 years MAX. We should all be able to buy a $400 console every 5 years to keep up with things.

If not.. then stop gaming.

They should hire Mark Cerny.

It's quite normal actually I think like a year or two after PS3 launched Sony has started working on decelopping the PS4 let's hope MS doesn't **** up next gen like they did this

Agreed. +1

MS already giving up ladies

they want this gen end ASAP

Funny thing is, so are gamers.

You have to plan ahead. you can't just whip out a console new os, new codes, make games, contracts with hardware compies, factories, etc out of your ass.

XB1 Pro-Version....incoming for the love of god!!!

DO IT....DO IT NOW!

Maybe it's for the slim redesign or re-launch?

Maybe they should market the PS4 and start selling that.

Terrible idea. No one would trust an MS console at launch ever again and it would absolutely screw over early adopters. Considering you can pick up an xboxone for 300-325 dollars now, it already bad enough.

XB2 pro version at the launch of next gen = great idea though. Steam machines/boxes might actually prompt MS to do so. I do hope they go that route.

Hopefully the bone is gone in 4 years and ps4 in 5. A generation longer than 5 years is the worst thing a gamer can experience.

I hope they hire someone that sets things straight on the controller layout not being symmetrical.

Exactly. They always start doing this after they launch their game consoles. This is really no surprise. The XBox One is built for a 9-10 year run, but it's likely they will release a new game console after 6-7 years and keep the XB1 on the market for another 2-3 years like they are doing with the XBox 360.

LMFAO! If you think XBone will stay on the market for 9-10 years, I don't know what to tell you. It will be lucky to make it 5.

The Xbox controllers are just about perfect. I hate the layout of the PS3 & PS4 Dual Shock. The analog sticks are too close to each other. Makes it incredibly awkward when play FPS or sports games. At least they fixed a bunch of things with the DS4. The PS3 controller is also a little too small. It was obviously made for Asian hands. I have small hands, but geez; they aren't that small.

PS2 went on for like 13 years. PS3/Xbox 360 will easily go 10-11 years. The experience has been great for most gamers. The quickest system death was probably the Virtual Boy that lasted about 1 year before Nintendo pulled it.

who cares for how long a system live, i want a new one in 5y or under. PS4 can survive for 15 and zero **** are given. I for sure won't be gaming on a system with an hd8750 in 2030

what they should do is move both the sticks to the top like on WiiU. That way the sticks are not too close to each other like on Sony.

Just like with every consumer electronics like TVs, phones, laptops, computers, vibrators, microwaves, blu-ray players and so on, whenever the latest one comes out there's already plans in making a newer one which requires different hires all the time. Actually it doesn't even have to be just electronics, it's every consumer product. That's the way the world work but SW is just a whole different world lol.

lol, you know Sony have started designing their next gen system as well don't you?

They usually start R&D right after their new console just launched.

No surprise here. I'm guessing Sony and Nintendo are doing the same.

True, but Cerny was designing the PS4 two full years after PS3

@kinectthedots: Yep, because cut scenes are so scary......

Maybe Microsoft want's to get the head start this time and not release something that looks like a VCR from the 80's and finally be able to integrate the power supply into the system, and maybe just maybe put a rechargeable battery in the control pad.

Dunno how soon before or after they started designing in Xbox One to the PS4, but obviously it wasn't enough time or they had the wrong people doing it.

The faster the better. Technology is moving faster and faster.

Yeah this is nothing new, it has been like this.

Yeah, like I've said before: Microsoft can't commit to any product that isn't an instant success. They will release the Xbox TWO next year or the year after next year.

TLHBO.

@edwardecl: Sony and Nintendo might also be doing the same

The ONLY company that currently are making home consoles, that could do this is Microsoft at this point. They could render the PS4 so last gen in all features it would be a slaughter in console power differences.

Microsoft could drop 5 billion right now in a new Pro version of the X1 leaving Sony holding their dicks, not blinking an eye. How could Sony in their financial state counter? They couldn't.

/truthfacts

MS is doomed, doooomed I tellz ya. :P

This place is delusional. :P

They could last gen Sony right now. In the Blink of an eye. These cows are cowering at the billions Microsoft drops on stupid shit, let alone one of their strongest brands.

Drops 9 billion on Skype.

7.2 billion on Nokia.

Launches a Surface every year...Various speeds.

Loses billions on Bing.

Then leaves the Xbox "one of their strongest brands" to suffer to an almost bankrupt company that is firing people and selling assets to stay afloat.

Sounds logical...:p

Oh trust me, I know, I know, the cow insecurity runs wild here, I think it's from their PTSD from last gen... hehe. :P

They act as if Microsoft, doesn't toss billions of dollars around like candy at a Halloween Party.

Cow reading my post...:D

Buy Sony?

Hey buddy I hear you have a boat for sale?

Yep, it's right over there at the bottom of the river.

You have a deal mister!

Why would MS want to throw away money? Why would they want to hurt their adopters? What does this have to do anything about MS money or playstation/sony? I only mentioned from a microsoft standpoint and mentioned steambox because I hope the competition would encourage MS to make a pro version for their next gen.

Your response was completely irrelevant to my statement. I said nothing about MS not being able to do it. I just said they shouldn't do it for this generation but for next generation because it would hurt xboxone fanbase by releasing it this generation. I am sure day one buyers would have picked the pro version from the start. They weren't told of the price drop and I am pretty sure they would be salty if a pro version was released. How could their fans trust an MS console at launch? It would make me scared to pick up a console at launch next time around knowing that a better version would randomly pop in and the current version would be highly price cut. Microsoft would hurt their reputation severely by this. When next-gen launches, would the average MS console owner go out an buy a XboxTWO (or w/e) day one knowing that previous early adopters were screwed by price cuts and a new pro upgradable version last generation?

I would love to see MS do it for next generation. What did you even read to make that response? I am being completely serious. What did you read? The argument that on why MS shouldn't do it was about MS hurting its own fanbase. Its like the statement you made was responding to someone else entirely. I mean seriously what is your problem. You been harassing me and other users here in other threads. You are also completely misconstruing what people write. I am not sure if its intentional or you really can't see it.

TLDR: Pro version would hurt xboxone fans this generation. Next-gen = good idea if they announce it before the release of the successor of the xboxone. This has nothing to do with Sony.

Because I'm a gamer, and cows deserve it for being resolution/graphics whores this entire early gen. I don't see the fanboys giving up anytime soon.

Cows you're just lucky I'm not on the board of Microsoft. I would fill a ocean with yours and Kaz's tears.