Xbox 360 Christmas Rush Hits UK

Microsoft executives and worried retailers speak out as this week's European launch draws nail-bitingly close.

The head of all things Home Entertainment for Microsoft in the UK has offered new comments that could make the difference between an Xbox 360 sitting under your tree this Christmas - or not. Xbox executive Chris Lewis revealed to a German publication that an estimate of 300,000 Xbox 360s for Europe is not all that "far removed from reality".

However, conflicting reports suggest there could be something of a conspiracy going on. While top Microsoft executives have gone on record to say that stock of the new games machine is being replenished as fast as possible, some gamers and anonymous retail sources in America have cited that Xbox 360s are being "stockpiled" in shops' store rooms, under strict instruction not to start selling again until a specified date. This would mean that that "sold out" signs everywhere, combined with huge publicity, inflates demand for the powerful new console even further.

Of course, it's difficult to verify such claims, but it's interesting food for thought. Microsoft's UK office is saying that "replenishment supplies" will be secured and available within a week of the December 2nd launch - with head of sales Jonathan Grimes telling MCV: "The replenishment situation is looking good, with the UK deliveries due the week after launch and then continual deliveries every 7-14 days well into the New Year. The key thing we didn't want to do was deliver a volume of stock for day one and then nothing for four to six weeks."

But speaking to Kikizo, one games retailer based in London said: "There just aren't enough supplies, and it's tough for us to get hold of any premium packs. It almost looks as if people will be scrambling on day one just to get their hands on core packs," mentioned the source, referring to the stripped down basic bundle that comes with no hard drive or wireless controller. "Most smaller retailers will be lucky to get three or four premium packs and a few core packs, which is not a lot of consoles for us or for the customers."

Microsoft will need to keep making Xbox 360s pretty fast if it's to reach the target of 3 million worldwide sales within the first three months of release.

European gamers will, with a bit of luck, be able to pick up their Xbox 360s this Friday, December 2, priced at £209 for the basic pack and £279 for the more desirable premium pack, which includes a hard drive, wireless controller, and other accessories.

Kikizo Staff