Spies Recruited Over Xbox Live

GCHQ ad. campaign targeting console gamers

Intelligence agency GCHQ is to run a recruitment drive over Xbox Live, using banner ads and videos to attract what it calls “quick-thinking 18-34 year olds”.

The agency, which works alongside MI5 and MI6 to safeguard national security interests, is using recruitment firm TMP Worldwide to co-ordinate the six-week campaign, which will include adverts on the Live dashboard as well as, apparently, in-game advertising through streaming video banners. Exact details on which games would be used to promote the campaign have yet to be announced, however.

In a statement, a GCHQ spokeswoman said that in-game skills such as “quick thinking, problem solving, and teamwork” were identical to the core criteria that the agency looks for in its recruits. The 18-34 age bracket, which accounts for the majority of Xbox Live players, is also ideal for the agency, according to the statement.

The representative went on to say: “As well as tackling ‘traditional threats’ GCHQ’s work is also about helping government departments, such as the Ministry of Defence, to protect their information and communication systems.

“This means we can offer excellent training and careers for people with specialist technical skills. However, the fact remains that many potential candidates remain unaware of GCHQ and what we do. Using video on Xbox Live helps carry our message to the right people in a creative and innovative manner,” she concluded.

A similar campaign aimed at gamers using advertising in 2007’s Splinter Cell: Double Agent saw traffic to GCHQ’s website increase by 500 per cent.