One of the biggest tech acquisitions of the last few years with implications for the video game industry is that of Microsoft buying Skype for a hefty $8.5 billion. Windows Phone already takes advantage of the app and with Xbox 360 utilizing Kinect video already, it's a natural home to be for the service as well - especially for seamless cross-platform communications.
Microsoft has bigger plans for the service long-term however, and Skype could have a substantial role in video games themselves come time for the Xbox 720 (codenamed Durango).
GeekWire spotted an interesting posting on Microsoft's careers page, one that's seeking help implementing Skype into the next-gen Xbox for in-game purposes.
"Skype is working on powering real-time voice and video communications on the Xbox. Xbox is a fundamental lynchpin of Skype’s living-room strategy, and we are focused on enabling amazing new in-game and in-console voice and video experiences for the next generation of Xbox. This is a crucial initiative for Xbox, and it is time-critical given the hardware lead times involved."
Click here to see the full job listing.
Video chat is the natural evolution for in-game communications. Audio communication is key to the multiplayer experience and has become the standard, but video is the future and the only thing holding it back is bandwith. With the Xbox 720 rumored to ship with Kinect 2 built-in, in-game video chat is a logical next-step in development. Think back to Wing Commander when NPC characters would communicate to you and players could see a little Avatar of their face in the top left - what if that were a friendly face of a teammate in real-time?
What if Microsoft implements a tablet controller much like Nintendo is doing with the Wii U (as rumored) and said controller featured a camera and the screen displayed a video chat with a teammate in Ghost Recon or the next Call of Duty? Cooperative gameplay could get that much more immersive with real-time video communications between players and the idea could work wonders with something like Battlefield 3, had it included a commader role like its predecessors.
Still, video doesn't just add more to existing player experiences, but it could lay the foundation for new types of gaming experiences entirely. By the sounds of the job description, the next Xbox could come sooner rather than later. But is there any chance of an early tease of it at E3, despite Microsoft's denials?
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Source: Microsoft (via GeekWire)
Lead Program Manager - Xbox
Job Category: Software Engineering: Program Management
Location: United Kingdom, London
Job ID: 789768
Division: Skype
Skype for Xbox— Lead Program Manager
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Every day, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
The Business Specific brief
Skype is working on powering real-time voice and video communications on the Xbox. Xbox is a fundamental lynchpin of Skype’s living-room strategy, and we are focused on enabling amazing new in-game and in-console voice and video experiences for the next generation of Xbox. This is a crucial initiative for Xbox, and it is time-critical given the hardware lead times involved.
The Skype for Xbox Program Manager Lead will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Skype experience on Xbox, and will be directly accountable for its market performance. She or he will be responsible to see this new product from concept through launch, monitor its performance and recommend enhancements as necessary.
Effective Lead Program Managers must perform several key activities:
- Devise the strategy for their product and support it by providing market insights, competitive analysis, audience opportunity etc.
- Lead a tightly-knit team of program managers, and interface with a cross functional team of marketers, engineers, product managers to deliver the product to market on time.
- Translate key opportunities into a prioritized backlog of functional and non-functional requirements.
- Care deeply about delivering relevant user experiences and be able to convince key stakeholders about new breakthrough functionalities and experiences using supporting data and analysis
- Travel from London as necessary to interface with relevant partners in Redmond, Palo Alto, Stockholm and Tallinn.
- Analyze market and competitive data to identify and quantify market opportunities
- Lead execution plans for a cross functional team of marketers, engineers and program managers to meet and exceed revenue goals.
- Track and analyze user behavior to identify highest value segments and opportunities
- Understand latest technology advancements and work with engineering in identifying optimal opportunities and solutions
- Ensure the maintenance of appropriate, predictable cadence of releases in accordance with the release policy for each product.
- Agree on a release plan for each release including clear decision points for scope reduction, risk management and change control processes.
- Partner with Quality Assurance and Product Engineering on the prioritization of defects to be addressed prior to release
- Partner with Site Operations appropriate plans for release to production.
- Ensure appropriate coordination with Customer Services to constantly monitor user feedback.
- Participate in usability tests by providing requirements and often driving research sessions
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a small team of London-based program managers, and interface with a cross functional team of marketers, engineers, product managers to define Skype for Xbox and deliver it to market on an aggressive schedule.
- Devise the strategy for Skype for Xbox and support it by providing market insights, competitive analysis, audience opportunity etc. Turn strategy into actionable plans.
- Travel frequently to Redmond, to interface with the Xbox PM, design and and engineering teams.
- In deep partnership with Engineering and QE, the Lead Program Manager is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of appropriate, predictable cadence of releases in accordance with the release policy for each product.
- The Lead Program Manager is also responsible for defining and driving the implementation of the complete product plan including: feature and product launches plans, legal & regulatory factors, release plans of record and internal documentation.
- Throughout the life of each release, the Program Manager will continue to monitor and analyze product performance metrics.
Candidate Profile
Pre-requisite Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Expertise/Experience
- A passion for Xbox, Skype, and the possibilities of communication in the living room!
- Proven experience in the TV, IPTV, or computer gaming industry
- Extensive product management experience with proven track record managing complex roadmaps and delivering high quality projects on a timely manner.
- Demonstrable management experience with individuals or small teams, and a passion for growing people and managing their careers.
- Demonstrable past results in managing projects from concept to end-of-life
- Strong analytical skills and proven data-driven decision making attitude
- Extensive experience working with partners
- Commitment to always delivering the most relevant user experiences while growing revenue
- Proven business acumen with experience in working with high different teams and partners
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
- Proven track record for product delivery and demonstrated ability to provide hands-on product management
- Entrepreneurial drive and demonstrated ability to excel in a fast pace innovative environment
- Experience working with products in a global setting and with a broad international user community
- Demonstrated experience with Agile development processes with frequent release cycles
- Experience in working with remote teams in a diverse international setting and different time zones
- Experience championing new ways of working: assertive, bold and inspiring — both in stretching the team to deliver great services but also in being able to ‘sell’ new approaches, influence partners and drive high standards of achievement and delivery
Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree in computer science, telecommunications, or business (must have)
- Significant experience as a person manager
- Extensive work experience in the technology or TV field
- MBA is a plus
- Formal Project Management and Product Management training (ITIL, Prince II, Agile) (preferred)
Location: London
Travel: ~20%