Microsoft announced earlier in 2013 it would be bringing original programming to its Xbox consoles sometime in the future, but new details hint the first of these shows could arrive by the end of the first quarter of 2014.

"We’re hoping we will be able to put something up in the first quarter, at minimum second quarter,” said Nancy Tellem, president of entertainment and digital for Microsoft, at Variety's Dealmakers Breakfast. “I’m incredibly ambitious and impatient.”

Though there's no telling just what kind of shows will arrive on the Xbox One and Xbox 360 first, there are programs in development based on Halo (with Steven Spielberg producing) and Remedy's Quantum Break will incorporate live action with its gameplay, too.

"We’re here to support the artists and the talent,” Tellem said. “We don’t have the layers traditional media has. Our studio is very lean which allows us to be a lot more nimble and have a direct relationship with talent and help them realize their vision.”

Tellem added she understood Xbox Live wasn't in the same league as established content providers like Netflix or Amazon, but also knows the developers of such shows don't necessarily have to follow any rules typical of standard TV.

It's not much of an update, to be honest, but we now have a somewhat better timetable of expectations for the first Microsoft shows. Until a real project or release date shows up though, it's anyone's guess as to what will happen.

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