Xbox 360 Shortage Looming?

US analyst weighs on with a guesstimated launch date and hints at shortages in Europe.

Microsoft's next-generation console will hit Europe in November, according to a report at Forbes, but there may not be enough of them to go around.

According to US analyst firm Piper Jaffray, Microsoft will have a million Xbox 360s ready for the North American launch in November, 400,000 for the Europeans launch, also in November, and 200,000 for the big day in Japan, which could come a few weeks later.

The firm also says that Microsoft will have two bundles available: one with just the base unit at $299 (£168) and another for $399 (£226) that includes various accessories, such as a memory card or extra controller.

This seemingly contradicts comments by Microsoft's Robbie Bach, who told Kikizo at E3 in May that Microsoft would only have one primary Xbox 360 bundle available. There is, admittedly, still some murkiness surrounding this.

The big issue, though, is one of allocation, and it would seem that if Piper Jaffray is right the console will be hard to find in Europe this Christmas season.

Earlier this year, Microsoft's Neil Thompson said that the company is expecting shortages, but through excessive demand and not supply-side problems.

"I don't think we're going to meet demand," Thompson told MCV in June, "as people are going to come into this platform in a big way."

On the positive side, the new estimates suggest that the Japanese could be listening to Microsoft's persistent drumming.

The Xbox installed base in Japan stands at just over half a million after three years, so the 200,000 Xbox 360s available at launch hints at an easier time for the Xbox 360.

Microsoft has refused to comment on Piper Jaffray's figures. The company is expected to lay out its plans sometime during the next two month at one of the upcoming game shows.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games