M$ looks to prepping a new console right after Epic and Crytek demo new engines!

Microsoft is looking for a 'hardware verification engineer', a 'VLSI graphics architect' and a 'VLSI performance architect' for work on what sounds like the next-gen console.

"Come join a dynamic engineering team and play a key role in the development and verification of the Xbox and future platforms," it says in the engineer listing.

"We are looking for an experienced Senior Hardware Design/Verification Engineer. You will be responsible for the design verification and qualification of the Xbox console at the component, motherboard, and system levels. You will lead test strategy discussions, develop test methodologies & plans and project-manage qualification cycles," it adds.

On the graphics architect page, is says: "The Xbox Console Architecture team is hiring for a Graphics hardware architect position. The team is responsible for defining and delivering next generation console architectures from conception through implementation."

It's exciting to think about, sure, but this would also seem to suggest that development is still in the earliest of stages - almost six years after the 2005 release of the 360.

So when they predicted this would be a longer console cycle than usual they weren't kidding.

Heres the Unreal demo (shakey cam footage but confirmed as real time footage)



And here's the Crytek one (Looks astonishing!)



Although the latest Cry Engine demo was the Cinema version Crytek confirmed it would be powering future games.

If its in the earliest stages of development, what would be the timeline for this being released?

Any time between late 2012 and late 2013 I reckon mate

maybe worth holding off getting the new 360 then if it is going to be replaced in the next 12 months or so, unless mine breaks that is