While Nintendo is expected to finalize its next-generation plans with a ‘re-unveil’ of Wii U at E3 2012, industry site MCV reports that Microsoft and Sony will counter with significant announcements of their own on the hardware front.

Reportedly, details on the next PlayStation and Xbox are on tap. Earlier reports have pegged Microsoft’s next in line for an E3 2012 unveil, so this isn’t all surprising.

The notion that Sony may be stepping up to the plate as well isn’t entirely expected, considering the company has heavily downplayed talk of a PS4 in the past. In June of last year, SCEA CEO Jack Tretton noted that the PS3 was ‘just hitting its stride.’ Moreover, SCE WWS boss Shuhei Yoshida previously suggested that Sony may launch after its competitors. Things change, though. There’s always a  possibility the timetable has been moved up.

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