Microsoft Japan planning secret project

TOKYO--Microsoft Game Studios in Japan is recruiting for developers to work on a new Xbox project. No details are given in the job posting on the company's official Web site, and the new project is labeled as strictly confidential.

Microsoft Game Studios is seeking a total of 10 workers in three areas. The studio is looking for character and background modelers, motion designers, special effects artists, and an art manager for the graphics department. In game programming, the company is looking for software engineers to work on menus, systems, graphic engines, and effects programming. Level designers are also being sought for the secret game.

The Xbox has been less than successful in the Japanese market, one of the issues being the lack of games oriented toward Japanese consumers, with the recent cancellation of True Fantasy Live Online making another dent in Microsoft’s plans to expand the console’s sales in the country.