No Xbox Series X Gaming Until New Year’s Eve
In the email, the online retail giant states that it expects to be shipping consoles to customers in the “coming weeks”. Which is bad news if you wanted (and expected) to receive it on launch day.
Buyers are, quite rightly, up in arms. The reason you pre-order a console, or anything for that matter, is so that you can use it as soon as it is released. Some people have even reported receiving their consoles already.
The email also states that customers can cancel their order if they wish. This is likely to be the last thing an Xbox fan wants to do and the last thing Microsoft wants them to do.
Are Initial Xbox Series X/S Sales Figures Under Threat?
Disappointed, frustrated, and angry people all do dumb things in the heat of the moment. It is totally plausible that a lot of people will be annoyed by this setback and just ask for a refund.
However, the console went on sale November 10 and sold out of current stock within minutes of sales going live. So, pretty much everyone is disappointed.
As with a lot of console releases over the past decade or two, new consoles have been oversold at pre-order and under-supplied at release. This inevitably means that a lot of gamers are left high and dry, come release day, and for some time afterwards as well.
Who Is to Blame Here?
Well, this is where schools of thought differ. OK, so Microsoft should ensure it has enough consoles to fulfill pre-orders. However, the past six months have been a difficult time for everyone. Supply chains have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, meaning delays were always going to be possible.
For now, gamers are advised to keep checking outlets as Xbox Series X/S stock is replenished. Just keep refreshing that page!
