Microsoft Xbox Hires Jonathan Ross As 'Executive Producer' Ahead Of Xbox One Launch

Xbox Hires Jonathan Ross As 'Executive Producer' Of... Something
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Jonathan Ross and Master Chief attend the launch of Halo 4 on Xbox 360 at Tower Bridge on November 05, 2012 in London, England. The 'Halo 4' Glyph symbol is one of the largest and brightest man-made structures to ever fly over a capital city and measures 50 feet in diameter and weighs over three tons. ( Photo by Halo by Xbox360 via Getty Images )
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Jonathan Ross and Master Chief attend the launch of Halo 4 on Xbox 360 at Tower Bridge on November 05, 2012 in London, England. The 'Halo 4' Glyph symbol is one of the largest and brightest man-made structures to ever fly over a capital city and measures 50 feet in diameter and weighs over three tons. ( Photo by Halo by Xbox360 via Getty Images )
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Microsoft's brand-new Xbox One launches in the UK in just three weeks - but the company still apparently thinks it can do better.

Enter... Jonathan Ross.

The TV chat show host has been drafted in by Microsoft Studios to become an "Executive Producer" within the company.

Ross and his company Hotsauce Interactive will "consult with a number of Microsoft Studios including Lift London, Rare, Lionhead and Soho Productions bringing his unparalleled understanding for audience trends to the studios' development of IP across multiple distribution channels including TV, music and movies", Microsoft said.

Ross said that he was looking forward to making the most of the latest platforms. (No, we're not quite sure what it means either). He said:

"I'm thrilled to be joining forces with Microsoft Studios. The explosion in cross-media opportunities and the chance to create and develop entertainment ideas that make the most of both the traditional and the very latest platforms is tremendously exciting. My love of games, movies and TV made this partnership a no-brainer. And they said they'd give me an Xbox One for free, so how could I possibly refuse?"

Industry publication MCV said that the role will revolve around breaking down the barriers between "traditional" games and other types of entertainment. We'll have to wait and see what that means specifically, but Phil Harrison, corporate VP at Microsoft seems convinced it will make a big impact.

He said the appointment "would challenge the way we build games and the way we think about what an audience is and what is entertainment".

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