Microsoft on Next-Gen Xbox: “Nothing new in 2012”

Microsoft has confirmed that they will not be releasing a successor to the Xbox 360 in 2012, despite persistent rumors to the contrary.

Cedrick Delmas, marketing director for Microsoft France, told French news site LePoint that the company has no intentions of launching a new console this year and is unlikely to make any significant announcements about the system during this year's E3 show in June.

"We're in an industry that talks a lot, that likes to tell stories," Delmas said. "I'm not convinced that things are happening this year. The Xbox 360's life cycle is by no means finished. The proof is that we still don't see the logic of a price drop this year. Anything at E3 is still premature. What's certain is that there will be nothing new in 2012."

But could Microsoft be pressured into an early announcement by the competition? After all, Nintendo's new console, the Wii U, has already been confirmed for a global launch in 2012 and is rumored to be considerably more powerful than the Xbox 360. Delmas says it's unlikely.

"Nintendo has placed itself in a different cycle. They advance at their own pace — successfully, as we have seen with the Wii — and now it's their turn to present their innovations."

With the other major industry player, Sony, continuing to champion a ten year life cycle for the PlayStation 3, Nintendo will likely have a considerable head start on the next generation of hardware.