No new Xbox in 2012 - Microsoft

Microsoft won't release a new console in 2012. That's according to the company's French marketing manager, who recently told French website Le Point that Microsoft has no plans to compete with Nintendo and the Wii U this holiday season.

"What is certain is that there will be nothing new in 2012," Microsoft's Cedrick Delmas told the website (via Google Translate). Previous speculation pointed to Microsoft releasing a new console as early as this holiday.

Delmas added, "The cycle of the Xbox 360 is by no means complete," noting that the lack of price cuts for the system indicates Microsoft isn't ready to bring on the next console.

The marketing man also discussed Microsoft's position relative to Nintendo and the Wii U, which will be on hand at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo and will launch worldwide by year's end.

"We are not here to deal with Nintendo, and they are not there to fight against other manufacturers," he said. "Nintendo has placed itself in a different cycle, they advance at their own pace, successfully as we have seen with the Wii, and now it is their turn to present their innovation."

As for the form and functionality of Microsoft's not-yet-announced console, the latest scuttlebutt suggests it will play Blu-ray discs and sport measures to block used games.