Blizzard is hiring for Next-Gen MMO

Blizzard is officially hiring for their Next-Gen MMO on their homepage.

Blizzard.com writes:

"Job Openings:

Next-Gen MMO:
- Senior Producer
- Senior Software Engineer, Engine
- Senior Software Engineer, AI
- Software Engineer, Audio
- Software Engineer, Server
- Lead 3D Environment Artist
- 3D Environment Artist
- Lead 3D Character Artist
- 3D Character Animator
- 3D Character Artist
- Concept Artist"

[Pebz]

Assuming that Blizzard are sticking with Battle.net, this could very well be the first PS3 <-> 360 crossplatform game.

[InfectedDK]

Hmm interesting.. That could actually open up some doors for some REAL online clashes lol xb

[Pebz]

Or better yet.

Say someone somehow forgets to check their groups Gamer tags/PSN ID in order to avoid the <insert hated brand>-flu and such. Then they have a perfect gaming session, with good communication, teamwork and whatnot. At the end it is revealed that foul play has taken place, that the different brands have had contact through the medium of networking.

Would the players quickly turn off their machines and run for the showers? Or would they perhaps, against all odds, realize that a purchase of a piece of hardware in the distant (or not so distant) past does not actually completely mold people's behaviour and personality?

Could lead to dramatic events the would fundamentally oppose the fanboy doctrine and forever change the internet battlegrounds. Or not.

Either way, I'm sure Blizzard have something nice in store, they've not failed so far.

[InfectedDK]

Yeah, that would be more realistic, also better :b
Would be freat fun

[Gamer_Politics]

really doubt this makes it to consoles

[Pebz]

Well, besides the "Next-Gen" part (which could in truth just be marketing language for "better than previous games") there are other things hinting at console releases;

"Software Engineer, Audio - Next-Gen MMO" under plusses: "Mac and/or game console programming experience".

"Lead 3D Environment Artist - Next-Gen MMO" under plusses: "Have shipped AAA PC or console titles as a lead 3D environment artist"

"Lead 3D Character Artist - Next-Gen MMO" under plusses: "Have shipped AAA PC or console titles as a lead 3D character artist"

"3D Character Animator - Next-Gen MMO" under plusses: "Have shipped AAA PC or console titles as a character animator"

"3D Character Artist - Next-Gen MMO" under plusses: "Have shipped AAA PC or console titles as a 3D character artist"

"Concept Artist - Next-Gen MMO" under plusses: "Have shipped AAA PC or console titles as a concept artist"

Could be nothing, but there are indications at least.

[Pandamobile]

Why is this in the PS3 and 360 channels :\

[Pebz]

Possibly for the reasons I stated above.

Also take into account that Blizzard's design boss Rob Pardo recently said:

"If we wanted to make a good console game, I’d hope that we could dominate their too. It’s something that we always think about, because we’re all big console gamers."

"I play tons of console games, and I would love to make a console game, but we really try to come up with games that we really want to make, and then try to find out if it makes any sense to put them on console versus PC."

If there is one title that could dominate a market, it is a Blizzard MMORPG, as indisputably proven by WoW.

Either way, I doubt Blizzard will stay a PC-only company for much longer, especially not while Activision has a saying in it.