Apple ramping up in-house iPhone game development?

Apple is seeking to add a game and media software engineer to its interactive media group, fueling speculation the computing giant is looking to capitalize on the massive popularity of iPhone games by focusing on in-house development. According to the job posting, Apple is looking to hire a "skilled software engineer" to work on "interactive multimedia experiences on the iPhone and iPod touch." The ideal candidate's background will include a strong C/C++/Objective-C/iPhone background, three or four years of video game development experience including at least one AAA (high-quality) title, and skill with audio systems, graphics pipeline and network programming.

As Apple Insider notes, Apple has produced in-house only four of the more than 100,000 iPhone applications available in its App Store, with just one--Texas Hold'em--a game. But gaming firms like Electronic Arts and Konami have embraced the iPhone platform, and according to a recent forecast issued by research firm DFC Intelligence, the iPhone and iPod touch will account for 24 percent of total mobile and portable game sales by 2014 as total sales grow to $11.7 billion worldwide. Earlier this year, media research firm Screen Digest reported that Apple accounted for $100 million in gaming revenues in the second half of 2008, translating to 10 percent of the North American mobile games segment.

For more on the Apple gaming engineer search:
- read this Apple Insider article