Microsoft corporate VP Shane Kim loves Nintendo. Sony, on the other hand, seems to be a different matter altogether. Read more from Shane Kim after the jump.

Microsoft Game Studios revealed earlier today that Shane Kim would be taking up a new position at the company. Kim will become corporate VP of strategy and business development for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment business. Learn more about this after the jump!

Microsoft's Xbox 360 console enjoyed a certain amount of success in the U.S. thanks to exclusives like Grand Theft Auto 4's downloadable episodes and Halo 3. But why isn't Microsoft using the same tactic to win the hearts of Japanese gamers, like securing an exclusive Final Fantasy game, perhaps? Microsoft's Shane Kim answers in the full article.

It wasn't long ago that Microsoft's Don Mattrick, president of the company's Interactive Entertainment division, opined that the first console to break 10 million unit sold was the winner of the console race. Of course, at that moment, the Xbox 360 just touched that threshold after NPD results of April poured in. Now we have VP Shane Kim saying that the winner of this generation's console race will be the one closest to 100 million units sold. You know where to go for the full story.

Shane Kim, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Game Studios, was present at the recent Microsoft spring showcase in San Francisco where he spoke about various issues including the success of Grand Theft Auto 4 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3), the company's 2008 line-up, Halo Wars, and more. To find out what he had to say, head on over to the full article.

Lots of surprises are being popped in this year's DICE, and Microsoft's Shane Kim is no exception to the activity. In this update, we get the skinny on a LOT of upcoming titles from the man himself, as well as the reason for a certain MMO's cancellation. Check it out in the full article.

Crackdown was a surprising, if not a sleeper hit for the Xbox 360. Not only did it offer an awesome sandbox city to play in, but some awesome physics mechanics to go along with it as well. Plus, you get to throw cars. Now, no other than Shane Kim himself is saying that there might just be a sequel to the game in the near future. Check it out in the full article.

Microsoft Game Studios Vice President Shane Kim discussed several choice topics during the recent DICE Summit in Las Vegas last Thursday. Among the things he mentioned were the company's move to expand its userbase into the casual gaming market, more Halo projects and some other small tidbits discussing the state of the gaming company and its plans for the future (a portable handheld gaming console, perhaps?). Read more about what Shane Kim had to say in the full article.

Aside from the rumored Animal Crossing Wii MMO, the latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) hinted that there's a possibility Bungie Studios is working on a Halo MMO for the Xbox 360. According to the gaming magazine's Rumor Mill section:

Microsoft may start a war--word is they're making a massively multiplayer online first-person shooter for 360. Hmm, wonder what Bungie is up to?

While not explicitly stated, it's entirely possible that this rumored Bungie MMO is actually Peter Jackson's secret Halo project, the details of which - including genre -  have not yet been revealed. Also, it should be noted that Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios, said earlier this month that both Bungie and Microsoft are investing in a new "interactive" series set in Halo.

As always, this is just a rumor so don't get your hopes up too much. Do check this space often for more updates!

It's official: Bungie Studios and Microsoft are parting ways. A press release from Microsoft announced today that Bungie Studios will be embarking on a path to become an independent company. This confirms earlier rumors of the Bungie-Microsoft split.

Microsoft will still retain an equity interest in the studio. Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie will be continuing their publishing agreement for the Halo IP as well as other future Bungie projects. According to Bungie studio head Harold Ryan, the studio will continue to focus primarily on video game development for Microsoft platforms.

Shane Kim, Microsoft Game Studios' corporate vice president, also assured people that they will continue to invest in "a new interactive series set in the Halo universe" with Bungie and other partners including director Peter Jackson.