Microsoft promises 2012 will be the biggest year yet for Xbox 360

Microsoft has said it wants to be the "home of interactive entertainment" and Steve Beinner, Microsoft's director of global marketing first party games, said that 2012 will be "without a doubt" a "bigger year than 2011."

Speaking with told Gamasutra at Microsoft's Spring Showcase 2012 event in San Francisco, Beinner said that while 2011 was Microsoft's "biggest year in Xbox history," the firm wants to continue that momentum in 2012.

"We want to continue to build on that momentum," he said. "It's early in 2012 and we're just peeling the curtain back, but stay tuned. We look forward to continuing to build on the momentum we have and continue the strategies we have.

"I really love the Xbox lineup that we're bringing," Beinner said. "I think gamers want great games."

He also teased a new IP for console would be revealed later in the year, and stated that the firm's Kinect opportunities were "big in 2012" as well.

Positive comments on the system's year aside, Beinner added that the firm is "committed" to improving Xbox Live, and foresees franchise extensions on the service with developers receiving "the right tools to continue to be innovative and creative."

"Rather than saying, 'Hey these are the kinds of games we are looking for'," he said, the team at Microsoft wants to work will all kinds of developers, whether for "Xbox Live Arcade, packaged games, and Kinect."

"There's no one specific kind of developer [we want to work with] said Beinner, adding Microsoft Studios remains"very committed to innovation on the box."

Big year ahead, then, plus Halo 4.