Microsoft at E3 2012: What to Expect

E3 is likely watched by million, as fans anticipate known and unknown game reveals. Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony are all vying for attention, and here's what to expect from Redmond.

Microsoft has publicly said it won't be showing off the next generation Xbox, instead maintaining focus on the current console and games releasing in 2012 and 2013. However, there has been concern among some fans that Microsoft will neglect the "hardcore" gamers and continue to show Kinect and media software. Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter said on an episode of GameTrailer's Bonus Round that Microsoft was not showing off many games. Media app have become more popular than games, so it's probably not surprising the company will push them again.

Hardware

10 of the Microsoft-owned studios haven't announced a project for Kinect, despite the motion-sensing peripheral selling 10 million units. The demo for Steel Battalion went live Thursday, May 24.

Regarding the next Xbox console - apparently codenamed "Durango" - it will be unveiled in 2013 ahead of a release that year or early 2014, and Microsoft could unveil a cheaper Xbox 360 console that would be bundled with Kinect, dubbed the Xbox 360 'Lite.' Rumors even suggested the console would be sans hard drive.

Games

In terms of games, Halo 4 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 are almost definites to appear at Microsoft's conference. 343 Industries and Treyarch haven't shown off extended campaign or multiplayer footage, so expect to see footage from one of the modes. Outside of the FPS scene, Forza Horizon could be shown off for the first time along with more footage of Assassin's Creed 3.

BioShock Infinite attracted critical acclaim from its previews at E3 2011, so 2K Games is expected to show the game despite a revised February 2013 release date. The Tomb Raider reboot is also expected to be shown; a 2013 release was announced for it also.

Pachter also said when he met with Microsoft privately, the company said to expect dashboard and media content. With Windows 8 and the next major version of Windows Phone probably launching this year, Microsoft is rolling out the Metro user interface across all of its platforms as it looks to introduce an integrated ecosystem.

E3 2012 runs from June 5-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.