Phil Spencer of Microsoft is of the opinion that they don't need a new Xbox 360 model - at least not right now. Talking to Develop in an interview, the Microsoft Game Studios' exec said that they'll wait it out.

Xbox vice president for strategy and business development Shane Kim is retiring from Microsoft after 19 years in service. He will formally step down at the end of this year.

Is the ambitious episodic series project of Microsoft, in partnership with Peter Jackson, canceled? The director characterized the endeavor at the Comic-Con event as "no longer happening" while Microsoft refuses to call it quits, saying instead that it is "on hold."

Did you know that the creator of the original story for Epic Games' Xbox Live title, Shadow Complex, is none other than renowned comic book author David? Well now you do. Microsoft Game Studios announced this little bit of trivia today via press release, in anticipation of the game's online release in August.

Lionhead Studios' main figurehead Peter Molyneux is getting in on some double-duty as he gets promoted as Microsoft Game Studios Europe's creative director. He will basically be oerseeing  the projects of Microsoft in UK and Europe, as well as the different ones that they have with external partners.

Hah, Microsoft, who needs 'em? A number of veterans from Ensemble Studios are picking up where they left off after being shut down when Halo Wars was completed. They formed a new studio called Robot Entertainment. More in the full article.

The 6th Annual Video Game Awards of Spike TV is about to kick off next month, and we've got the list of nominees for this one. Cross your fingers tight and wish your personal fave bets good luck. See the list after the jump.

Remember that rumor saying that Ryan Payton of the Metal Gear Solid 4 team upped and joined the crew of Halo? Turns out to be true. Phil Spencer confirmed it today, just little over a week before the Tokyo Game Show starts. Incidentally, Microsoft also revealed that they have a big announcement in store for Halo fans at the event. Talk about building up hype. More in the full article.

Is there life after Kojima Productions? It was revealed late last month that Ryan Payton had left the MGS4 team to head back to the US... And now, we hear that he might have already been hired! Good for him, yes? Now, if current rumors prove true, Payton might be working with Peter Jackson on an upcoming Halo game. Guess the fight's not finished yet, eh?

Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft Game Studios, has thrown down the gauntlet. Speaking at an interview, Spencer pitted the Xbox 360's line-up of first-party games against the PlayStation 3's own, saying: "Which first party has had more success on their own platform? [...] I'll line up against Sony's first party any day." Well, someone's gearing up for the holiday spirit. More in the full article. Yes, there's more.