I wouldn't say Microsoft needs to announce their Nex-Box now, E3 2012 would be the smartest time to unviel the new platform. Do they have time on their side, could they wait till 2013 to reveal it? No they don't.
I think WiiU is going to foce Microsoft to move. Microsoft credits alot of its success to launching first with advanced technology and having a decent price point. Nintendo taking their edge away by beating them to the market is bound to cause them to react. Then look at the support Nintendo's getting with Epic Games stating they are very interested and CryTek now saying they have dev kits. Obviously the developers are ready to support new hardware.
I think the rumors of PS4 being unvieled within 18 months is probably true and a Microsoft unvieling at E3 would make perfect sense. A launch of Next winter at earliest or 2013 sometime is likely.
But one thing is for sure, Microsoft knows Nintendo will launch next winter. Microsoft also is no doubt aware that Sony is prepparing to unviel PS4, according to a rumored leak. Microsoft is not about to be the last one to unviel new hardware nor will they give Nintendo or Sony much of a chance to edge them out.
MS will announce Nex-Box at E3 2012! It will launch either alongside WiiU in winter 2012 or alongside PS4 in Spring/Winter 2013!
-JC7
"In God We Trust - In Games We Play " - Joel Reimer







