Microsoft's saying that the successor to the Xbox 360 won't be the star of the show at 2012's Electronic Entertainment Expo.


Speculation had been rising that Microsoft would be the next major platform player to show the successor to their current hardware. Rumors reportedly have the console code-named Durango , claim that it won't be a disc-based machine and speculate that it won't play pre-owned games. Expectations for a Durango reveal this year were running high but a tweet from Bloomberg News reporter Dina Bass quashed those hopes. Kotaku's confirmed that Microsoft's future hardware plans won't be the focus of this year's E3. Microsoft's full statement follows:

The Next Xbox is Code-Named...Durango Kotaku has heard from multiple sources close to the project that the code-name for Microsoft's next Read more

"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. 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 theatre systems. And in our seventh year, we sold more consoles than in any other year-defying convention. This year, we 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. 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."


With this statement coming soon after Sony's declaration that they won't be talking about the PS4 (or whatever they'll be calling the follow-up to the PS3) at the upcoming E3, it seems that we won't be hearing about the future of consoles—aside from Nintendo's already announced Wii U—for a little while yet.