Microsoft Will Not Release New XBox Hardware This Year

If you feel your current XBox console is starting to get a bit long in the tooth and are anxiously waiting for Microsoft to drop some new, shiny hardware goodness, you are going to have to wait a bit longer. Until next year, in fact.

That’s right, Microsoft has confirmed that the next next-gen console, rumored to be called the Xbox 720, will not even be announced or talked about at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo, or “E3” as we like to call it.

“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,” the company said in a statement. “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.”

Well, that’s nice for Microsoft. We’re glad they feel the XBox 360 is still a great gaming platform. In fact, it really is. It still manages to offer a lot to gaming developers and the games still look pretty darn good when played on it.

So really, what’s the hurry for a new gaming console anyway? Although, the idea that the XBox 720 is supposed to be six times more powerful than the current device, will be equipped with a GPU based on ATI’s Radeon HD 6670, should offer support for 3D, 1080p HD output, multiple displays and DirectX 11 and will most likely use online downloads and swappable solid state cards rather than a traditional disc drive sure has us wishing Microsoft would hurry up and make the thing already.

Sorry, we’re just a bit impatient. How about you guys? Do you want a new XBox right now?