According to a report at Media Week, Microsoft has signed a deal with the newly formed Safran Digital Group that will usher in original content made exclusively for the Xbox 360. SDG is slated to produce six lame short-films, the first of which should be stinking up your bandwidth this summer.

Why am I so down on this? I don't mind the concept at all, but Peter Safran, head mucky-muck at SDG, isn't known for creating anything that doesn't resemble crap, evidenced by his latest effort, Meet the Spartans.

It's great to see MS explore Xbox Live as a gateway for new media, but let's hope they can open up the system and allow access to independent and up-and-coming talent who would benefit from increased exposure, instead of Hollywood hacks.