About a week ago, Michael Bay posted his thoughts concerning the HD format his films are released on.  Bay's comments were borderline paranoid, as he was quoted as saying:

"What you don't understand is corporate politics. Microsoft wants both formats to fail so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads. That is the dirty secret no one is talking about. That is why Microsoft is handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios just embrace the HD DVD and not the leading, and superior Blu-Ray. They want confusion in the market until they perfect the digital downloads. Time will tell and you will see the truth."

That, right there, is one convincing guy.  But wait; some concerned fellows at Microsoft apparently got word of Bay's remarks and have dignified him with a response.  In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Microsoft's head of Gaming and Entertainment UK Stephen McGill said that he had heard about Michael Bay's speculations and wanted to set a few things straight:

"I didn't read his comments, although I heard about them, but hey, he's allowed his personal thoughts - I think he clarified some of those thoughts about 24 hours later - but for us we're focused on HD DVD movies working with great partners, and we wouldn't have that offer for five free movies if we didn't believe in that format... But we also believe in downloadable content, whether it's music, or movies - it's not about one solution, because one solution isn't going to work for everybody."

As for the disgruntled director, he later added to his reply on the forum:

"I don't a care about this format war because I have both formats in my screening room - I'm just filling you in on what people deep in the film industry feel ultimately is going on."

So there you have it; the verdict is in.  Microsoft apparently doesn't hate HD DVD, and Michael Bay actually doesn't care either way.