Update: Microsoft has confirmed to MTV Multiplayer that the job listings are indeed for Peter Jackon's Halo project, with the company stating that it has been hard at work in developing the title since its announcement in September of 2006.

"At this time, it's necessary to grow the internal team to keep pace with development," a Microsoft spokesperson said. "Bungie will continue to remain involved in multiple aspects of the Halo Universe with [Microsoft Game Studios]."

Original Story: New job listings have appeared on Microsoft's careers website seeking a Creative Director, Producer, Game Engineers and others for a "new experience in the Halo universe," MTV Multiplayer reports.

The postings advertise Microsoft Game Studios position available at the company's Redmond, Washington headquarters. No mention of series creator Bungie nor strategy offshoot Halo Wars (X360) developer Ensemble Studios is made... Read more

Microsoft has issued the first Halo 2 Vista update, removing some errant nudity from the game. "[] We have updated the initial game packaging at retailers with a label, so customers are aware before purchasing the game... This packaging will only be labelled for the initial run of games; subsequent shipments will not include the content."

A new Halo 2 Vista blog is available at IGN. This installment deals with the dedicated server included with the game.

IGN's Halo 2 Vista blog has been updated. This time Kevin Weston of Hired Gun details the included game browser.

GameSpot has the latest Halo 2 Q&A, asking no less than three people about the exclusive District level found in the Vista port.

IGN has the latest Halo 2 Vista blog posted. This installment offers info on the game's Tray and Play feature which allows you to play the game without first installing it to your HDD.

GameSpy has a Halo 2 Vista Q&A up, asking designer Jeremy Statz about the Uplift map found in the action game port.

GameSpot and FiringSquad both have new Halo 2 articles, going hands-on with the Vista version of the game at GDC. At the event, Microsoft is showcasing the singleplayer portion of the game.

The IGN Blog website has a new Halo 2 blog, which covers the game's support of achievements. Popular on the Xbox 360, the achievement system is part of the Vista Live for Windows platform. As you'd expect, there is an incentive for paying for a Gold (subscription based) account.

Silver accounts on LIVE can earn achievements on the single-player campaign, and play in multiplayer games. Gold accounts on LIVE have the added benefit of being able to earn achievements in both single-player campaign and multiplayer matches.

A Gold account will also be required for Shadowrun cross-platform play.

A new Halo 2 Vista development diary has been posted at the Bungie.net website. Manager Shogo Ishii talks about the game's recent press showing, and the "Sprint 7" development milestone.

The official Bungie website has been updated, offering the second Halo 2 Vista development diary. Matt Priestley talks about the progress being made on the game, including the visual enhancements, control scheme changes, dedicated server play, custom map support and the addition of text chat. Thanks Voodoo Extreme.

1UP and IGN both have Halo 2 PC previews, going hands-on with the Vista port at the Leipzig Games Convention. Says IGN "we're left scratching our heads why it would be shown in its current form".

Over at Bungie.net you can find a new Halo 2 Q&A, asking Microsoft's Jo Clowes and Matt Gradwohl about the upcoming Windows Vista port of the game. Questions are about the MS Tools and Technology studio, working with Bungie, porting the game in-house, porting challenges, expectations from Windows gamers, and Halo 2 likes/dislikes.

Microsoft used E3 to release a new Halo patch, which went unnoticed until now. At FileShack you can grab the 1.07 update, as well as the dedicated server update and the update for the CE version. The patch fixes a rare hang bug. Thanks 3D Gamers.

A new patch for Halo PC has been released, updating the game to v1.06. The new release fixes a rare crash bug. If you have 1.05 installed you need download this patch, if you have 1.04 you can use the auto updater.

Microsoft has released a new patch for the PC version of Halo, updating the game to version 1.05. The 4.6mb hot fix "addresses a rare crash bug that could occur if a malicious individual (hacker) purposely sends a malformed packet to a game server. In addition, it incorporates fixes to resolve compatibility problems with Windows XP SP2 and certain 256MB video cards, which could cause the game not to launch, or not to display chat messages". Thanks Blue.

Bungie has released a new set of Halo 2 screenshots, showing some very nice looking scenes from the Xbox game which, as it was announced tonight, will be released November 9. Check out this press release for info on a Limited Edition release of the game.

There is a Q&A with Gearbox project manager Marc Tardif on HomeLAN Fed today. Tardif is asked about the recently released Halo Custom Edition and the accompanying editing kit.

As promised Gearbox Software has released Halo Custom Edition, a special and unsupported version of Halo which comes with multiplayer improvements and support for custom content. An editing kit is available as well.

This post on the Gearbox Software forums reveals the company's plans to release Halo Custom Edition, a new version of Halo free for all Halo PC owners. Unsupported by Microsoft, HaloCE will introduce new features to the game including the support of custom content.

So what is the purpose of HaloCE? HaloCE was created as a way for Gearbox to introduce a bunch of new features to HaloPC. The most important of which is the ability to play user created content.
Along with HaloCE we will also be releasing a set of tools, tutorials and source art which we call the Halo Editing Kit (HEK). This is a powerful package which will allow users to create their own custom content for HaloCE.
When released it is our hope that this new version of the game will become the first choice for all HaloPC players. We look forward to sharing more information with you and answering your questions about this exciting release.

Thanks HomeLAN Fed. Update: a Q&A about Halo Custom Edition can be found on GameSpy.