We're real close to Xbox's big 2022 summer Showcase, and what folks seem to want most this year is more gameplay. We thought last year's effort was one of Xbox's best 'E3' shows ever; jam-packed with looks at upcoming titles and Game Pass releases. However, the complaints about gameplay are valid and more of it would surely be fantastic (we're expecting as much, given what's been said so far).

With that in mind, we asked ourselves: how did things used to look for Xbox? What about, say, 10 years ago? Microsoft was at the very end of the Xbox 360 era at the time, coming off the back of two Kinect-filled conferences in 2010 and 2011. So, how did E3 2012 go, and is there anything to learn 10 years on? We think there is.

Watching the 2012 conference now is like being warped back to the days of Kinect, sports and TV - sometimes all three in one. However, the show did feature quite a few extended gameplay demos, including lengthy looks at Halo 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Tomb Raider, Splinter Cell: Blacklist and more.

This is an area where Xbox can certainly improve in 2022. Last year's conference was heavy on CGI and short teaser trailers, something we've been used to for a few years now with Xbox. In-person conferences provided the opportunity for devs to get up on stage and actually play some games, which ought to be better translated into the modern, digital showcase era. Let's hope 2022 delivers on that.

What we reckon everybody does enjoy being left in the past is Xbox's focus on entertainment. While E3 2012 featured some great gameplay demos, it also contained a huge segment looking at Kinect games, sports apps, TV shows and the gimmick of the time: SmartGlass integration. It's safe to say we're all glad that's been left behind and now, Xbox truly focuses on games with Phil Spencer at the helm.

One final point is where we're torn a little bit. Xbox's current focus on pure trailers and gameplay does keep the pace moving, but sometimes modern conferences feel like they run at breakneck speed. Let the games breathe, show some extended footage and maybe even bring a dev or two out to help give the demos a little context. We won't complain at the odd break, honest!

What do you think Xbox could learn from its own E3 shows of old? Let us know down in the comments below!