Phil Spencer: Console Shortages to Continue Into 2022 - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 October 2021 / 1,817 Views
Head of Xbox Phil Spencer during TheWrap's TheGrill 2021 roundtable chat expects to see console shortages to continue into 2022. He said chip shortages isn't the only problem in getting Xbox Series X|S consoles on store shelves.
"I think it's probably too isolated to talk about it as just a chip problem," Spender said. "When I think about what does it mean to get the parts necessary to build a console today and then get it to the markets where the demand is. There are multiple kind of pinch points in that process.
"I think regretfully it's going to be with us for months and months. Definitely through the end of this calendar year and into the next calendar year."
Spencer said the biggest disappointment for him is the people who want to get into the new generation of consoles who have not been able to purchase one yet.
"The thing that's most disappointing is just the fan disappointment," said Spencer. "People really want this new generation of consoles. They’re good consoles, both from us and the other platform holders and they want the new functionality. We're working hard to bring them to market but it’s going to be a challenge that we’ll work through for quite a while."
The Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 consoles have faced shortages since they launched in November 2020. The latest RTX graphics cards have also been hard to find.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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I want a Series X so freakin' badly. I swear that console is harder to get than the PS5 (I finally got one through Sony's invitation.) I guess it'll be next year then..sadly.
I think PS5 (even the deservedly less desired digital-only edition) is still much harder to get. There are a lot more of them, but demand is also a lot higher.
I'm basing this primarily on the way PS5 scalping profit margins remain a lot higher than those of Series X, as well as the in-person Best Buy lines that saw PS5s disappear much faster than Series X, even though there were more of the former to go around.
Anecdotally, as someone who has sexured multiple of each to help friends, the Series X options tend to stay up longer than PS5 online. Still annoying, though.
The annoying two-year monthly installment w/ forced Game Pass Ultimate thing Microsoft does always seems to stay up for a really long time -- I've seen it last days without selling out. But I don't recommend it, especially since they do a damaging credit check.
Anyway -- good luck! And congrats on the PS5!!
I probably should have said "personally". Every time I try to actively go and find a Series X, I never find one. However, based on my own experience, it was easier to find a PS5. Whether I would have had to pay for that absurdly price for bundles through Gamestop, or Best Buy.
Oh and yeah I'm not doing that Game Pass Ultimate foolishness. I already have GP and such. I would rather just buy the console out right. Just wish it was readily available already. Feel like I'm missing out. Especially with the new Halo coming out.
Anyway thank you!
@Don The Series S is MUCH easier to find, but it's not the one I want as you alluded to. I want the Series X. I'll get it eventually. Just hope they don't announce new next gen consoles by that time.
And getting a Series S would be quite easier, but well less desireable.
I already assumed this. I mean, it's pretty damn unlikely that the supply will magically improve during the holidays lol
That was already know, and have been said several times this year. They should had made contract for higher number considering their delivery is quite smaler than Sony.
Id assume he means the Series X, as the Series S is still in stock at many places.
I wonder if the series s was disc based, if it would be flying off the shelf.
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