The Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has launched a new recruitment campaign through Xbox Live.
From this week, Microsoft's digital media service, which is available to owners of its Xbox 360 console, will carry ads for the intelligence agency.
The six-week campaign is being organised by in-game marketing group Massive and will feature advertisements designed by TMP Worldwide.
It is hoped the move will help GCHQ to target "quick-thinking" 18 to 34-year-olds and it could signal a growing preference for organisations to use alternative digital channels for their recruitment drives.
A spokesperson for the department said: "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."
The campaign will feature posters on the main Xbox Live dashboard and streamed video banners within games.
In 2007, GCHQ ran a similar campaign focusing on online PC games.
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