There aren't a huge number of Xbox 360 exclusives coming out in 2012 but Microsoft is okay with that. Microsoft Studios vice president Phil Spencer says that developing strong intellectual properties for core gamers takes a long time.

"Creating core IP, as many first-and third-parties have seen over the years, isn't an easy thing," Spencer told Game Informer . "I went through the process of creating Gears with Epic and I know the sweat, time, and effort that went into it. I also worked on things like Alan Wake, Too Human, Crackdown,and stuff that didn't hit the same level of success, but had an equal amount of sweat equity and heart go into getting created."

"So it will continue to be something that we focus on with new partners like Crytek and new people that aren't announced yet. We do think that it's fundamental that core gamers look at 360 as the place they want to play games."

Added Spencer: "I do think that it's [about] quality and impact, not number of releases in a year."

The Xbox 360 exclusives' slate is mostly sequels, such as Halo 4, Fable: The Journey, and Alan Wake's American Nightmare. At this point in the 360's lifecycle, you have to wonder whether Microsoft is putting their energy into planning new IP's for their next console instead of this one.