Microsoft hiring for possible Xbox 720 ‘AAAA’ console title

Microsoft is saying GTFO to AAA titles.  They're raising the bar and adding another A — which is probably what we need to refer to top games for the next-gen of consoles.  According to the Microsoft Careers Talent Network, there is a job posting for an Executive Producer-IEB-Microsoft Studios-Core Publishing.  They start off by asking, "Do you have strong business acumen, creative vision, and game development/production experience to define, build and lead a world-class production team?"

There it is people.  Game development.  According to Microsoft's plans for the Xbox 360, the console's lifespan should last 10 years, which would be 2015.  So while it is possible that this could be a game for the 360, the language in the job description leads many in the gaming industry to believe that it is a AAAA title for the next-gen Microsoft console — presumably the Xbox 720.

Directly take from the job description:

Microsoft Studios (Xbox) is looking for a dynamic and seasoned Executive Producer to lead and develop a world-class team who will own the creation and delivery of a AAAA experience that delivers on 1st party goals and, more importantly, creates a fun gaming experience for our audience. The EP will be responsible for identifying a great development partner who shares our passion and goals, mapping the product roadmap, all aspects of production, from initial concept development through retaining world-class production capacity to delivering high-quality games that are on time and on budget, and improving the viral performance of the games.

There is the stress on the "AAAA" part.  In Major Responsibilites, it states:

The EP will have P&L responsibility for a major Xbox AAAA console title.

Deliver the end-to-end AAAA title experience (Concept, Prototype, Greenlight, Pre-production, Production, Release, ongoing revenue streams and a complete franchise plan).

For those of you wondering, P&L stand for Profit and Loss, which means you are held responsible for cost overruns, how to spend the resources, etc.

Complete franchise plan lends me to believe that it will be more than one game in the series, as well.

It is worth noting that Microsoft has confirmed that a next-gen Xbox console will not be announced at this year's E3.

[Source: CVG]