Sony Computer Entertainment has taken out an ad in the latest issue of Famitsu soliciting staff to work with its "Sarugetchu" production team. Sarugetchu is the Japanese name for the Ape Escape series.
The ad seeks staff for a number of positions, including programmers, designers, and even high level staff such as director and assistant producer. The programmer listing is the most telling, as it asks for applicants to be familiar with physics simulation, movement simulation, shader programming, algorithms, general tool development and general game programming. Perhaps we're looking at a next generation version of Ape Escape?
Typical of these solicitation advertisements, the Sarugetchu team ad doesn't mention a specific game. The ad has a visual depicting a progression of apes, each more manlike than the last. The first ape holds a copy of the original Ape Escape (Sarugetchu), with the second and third ones holding copies of, respectively, Ape Escape 2 (Sarugetchu 2) and Ape Escape 3 (Sarugetchu 3). The fourth ape is actually Ape Escape's Piposaru, holding a box containing a question mark and the text "next." The progression seems to suggest a new numbered entry in the series rather than a spin-off.
With staff now being assembled, it seems that the resulting game is still a ways off. However, don't be surprised if a new Ape Escape gets announced for the PS3 early on.
