If you were hoping to hear more about Smart Glass, Gears of War 3: Judgment, Halo 4 or anything releated to a next-generation console at the other two-thirds of major gaming conferences this summer, think again. Microsoft has announced they will have no presence at the upcoming Gamescom conference or Tokyo Game Show.
From Major Nelson's blog:
"As you saw at E3, we have a solid line-up of games launching this holiday, along with other entertainment experiences. We've changed our approach a little, though. This year, Xbox will be focusing on smaller, more localized promotions and experiences for press, partners, retailers and customers around the world. Which means that as you might have seen on some of the news sites today, we won't be taking part in gamescom orTokyo Games Show this year.
Both are still important shows for the industry, and we do wish the organizers well."
Game Informer sees the decision coming due to Microsoft's reliance on third party developers and a traditionally non-responsive Japanese audience; The Verge reminds us that 2012 would also be the last year Microsoft heads to CES. So if the developers are quietly leaving the big conferences behind, can we take that to mean 2013 will be all about next-gen systems?
Sure. And magical fairy dust will bring us those very confirmed facts on the backs of winged pigs gracefully flying through the air.
