In case you missed their first announcement, Microsoft again reiterated that they will not be showing off the Xbox 720 at E3 2012, or "anytime soon" for that matter. Despite the rumors floating around about Microsoft allegedly working on the next-gen Xbox 720, or "Xbox Durango", the company remains committed to the current Xbox 360 in 2012.
In a statement released to Kotaku, Microsoft said it would continue to focus on the Xbox 360 after the console posted its "biggest year ever" in 2011.
"While we appreciate all the interest in our long-range plans for the future, we can confirm that there will be no talk of new Xbox hardware at E3 or anytime soon," he company confirmed.
"For us, 2012 is all about Xbox 360-and it's the best year ever for Xbox 360. The console is coming off its biggest year ever-a year in which Xbox outsold all other consoles worldwide."
"Xbox 360 didn't just outsell other consoles, it also outsold all other TV-connected devices like DVD players, as well as digital media receivers and home theater systems. And in our seventh year, we sold more consoles than in any other year-defying convention," the company boasted.
On the games' front, Microsoft will "build on that Xbox 360 momentum."
"With Halo 4, Forza Horizon, Fable: The Journey, and other great Kinect games on the way, our 2012 Xbox lineup is our strongest ever."
As for the company's plans to turn the Xbox 360 into a more central entertainment hub, Microsoft promised, "This year, we will deliver more TV, music, and movie experiences for Xbox 360-as we'll make it even easier to find and control your all entertainment. And this year, Xbox games, music, and video are coming to Windows 8 so people can enjoy their Xbox entertainment wherever they go."
Although Microsoft has said nothing of a next-gen console, that hasn't stopped rumors about the Xbox 720's specs from spreading. We've heard rumors that it won't play used games to claims that it won't be a disc-based machine.
Sony apparently has the same idea, also confirming that they will remain focused on the PS3 and PlayStation Vita for 2012.
This, of course, has to be good news for Nintendo who now has sole spotlight on the next-gen race and the opportunity to really impress consumers at E3 with the Wii U. According to a recent statement from Epic VP Mark Rein, Nintendo will indeed "shock us" at E3 this year. Of course, E3 will be one of the last major events to catch consumers' eyes as Nintendo plans to release the console by the end of 2012.
