E3 2012: Microsoft press conference round-up

Microsoft’s E3 press conference has just come to a close, marking the start to the biggest week in annual games development calendar outside of GDC.

The big budget presentation was relatively light on big hitting news, and focused largely around game demos and release dates.

Perhaps most interesting was the reveal of Microsoft’s new SmartGlass virtual platform, which will allow smartphone and tablet owners to integrate their devices with their Xbox 360 consoles, and game developers to create content destined for simultaneous multi-screen use.

Equally memorable was a somewhat unexpected appearance and impressively lengthy dance by pop star Usher, who took to the stage after revealing he has been working with Harmonix on Dance Central 3.

Xbox: Ubisoft Toronto unveils Splinter Cell: Blacklist
Xbox: EA dedicates ‘biggest investment’ to Madden 13
Xbox: Microsoft extends Kinect voice search to 12 languages
Xbox: Microsoft partners with Nike
Xbox: Microsoft unveils Xbox SmartGlass
Xbox: Internet Explorer comes to Xbox 360
Xbox: Usher working with Harmonix