Microsoft has hired British TV presenter Jonathan Ross as an executive producer for the Xbox One.
Ross will be working alongside various Xbox teams across the UK, with Microsoft’s Phil Harrison stating that the chat show host has been hired to “change our thinking.”
“We wanted to bring in new talent that would challenge the way we build games and the way we think about what an audience is and what is entertainment,” Harrison said.
“We want to broaden the concept of gaming to maybe blur the distinctions about what is a traditional game and what is a traditional television programme and what is a traditional linear media. These devices and boxes now allow us to do that in a really meaningful way.”
Lee Schuneman, boss of Microsoft Studio Lift London, revealed that he had spent the past couple of months working with Ross, saying: “We thought we should try and find someone who can think about gaming, TV, technology and toys and bring all that together.
“I’ve had the pleasure to work with him over the last few months and what I’ve really appreciated is this authenticity and passion and real understanding for what we are as gamers, and the cool films and toys we like.
“Our ambition is to create these new experiences that join TV and gaming together.”
Ross, best known for presenting The Jonathan Ross Show, owns the production company Hotsauce, who developed the iOS game Catcha Catcha Aliens.
[Via Eurogamer]
