Microsoft has admitted the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles may very well be in brief provide till June 2021 or later.
The corporate’s head of investor relations, Mike Spencer, informed The New York Times that Microsoft firm “bought each Xbox unit it had final quarter,” including that provide is “prone to be constrained at the very least by means of June.”
It is irritating information for avid gamers who’ve been battling bots and scalpers in hopes of getting their fingers on the agency’s 4K-capable consoles (this is where to find the new Xbox, if you happen to’re struggling).
So what’s inflicting the large Xbox scarcity? Effectively, chips. Or fairly, a scarcity of them. Based on the CEO of chipmaker AMD, which makes the brains behind each the Sequence X and PS5, shortages of AMD processors might final properly into this 12 months (via CRN).
Again in November, Xbox’s chief monetary officer Tim Stuart admitted that provide shortages would proceed by means of April 2021, and with many people spending extra time at residence, he famous that “gaming is simply exploding”.
Each Sony and Microsoft promised to ramp up manufacturing in 2021, however in the present day’s admission appears to verify that Xbox and PS5 inventory points are set to proceed for a number of months on the very least.
Regardless of the shortages, Microsoft’s coffers are stated to be bursting. Based on Spencer, the corporate “topped $5billion in gaming income for the primary time”. The surge in gross sales is partly right down to the success of Microsoft’s Netflix-style subscription, Recreation Go, which gives entry to 100+ video games for £10.99 / $10.99 per 30 days (this is how to get a trial for just £1 /$1).
Missed out on the Xbox Sequence X and PS5? The excellent news is that some inventory is ready to drop at Amazon, Argos, John Lewis, Finest Purchase and different main retailers this month. Maintain a detailed eye on our PS5 restock and Xbox Series stock replace pages and we’ll let the place and when the drops are due.
MORE:
Learn our in-depth Xbox Series X review
Degree up your button-bashing periods with the best gaming TVs
Nonetheless on the fence? PS5 vs Xbox Series X