343 Industries is looking toward the franchise’s future.
New job listings on Microsoft’s site indicates that 343 Industries may soon be working on a Halo game for next-generation consoles. Posted yesterday, a listing for a graphics developer seeks a candidate “to help create the current and next generation of game visuals in the Halo universe.”
The listing specifically notes that candidates will “help us deliver cutting edge graphics technologies for AAA experiences” and later adds that “DirectX11 experience is a plus.” Xbox 360 does not offer DirectX11 support, but it’s a feature heavily rumored to be in Microsoft’s next console.
Other listings include a job for an environment artist who can “help breathe a fresh vision into a new Halo experience,” a game designer who can “spearhead efforts to design the next wave of Halo experiences” and a creative director “to lead and deliver a groundbreaking new AAA entertainment experience set in the Halo universe.” These listings were posted within the past two weeks.
While Halo 4 is the only Halo game Microsoft has officially announced, 343 has confirmed in the past that Halo 4 is the first in a new set of three Halo games known as the Reclaimer Trilogy. While Microsoft hasn’t officially commented on its next-generation console, it’s a safe bet that the next Halo games will be for that system since developers tell us the next generation of consoles will start in 2013 and other Microsoft studios are already hiring for next-gen games.
Nothing is official yet, and these listings could simply be testing the waters for when 343 does begin its development for a new system, whenever that may be.