Xbox boss expects console demand to outstrip supply this holiday

Microsoft’s gaming chief has said he doesn’t think the company will be able to satisfy demand for Xbox consoles this holiday season.

Phil Spencer provided an update on the supply chain issues the company continues to face during an interview with Bloomberg.

“I still think demand will outstrip supply for us this holiday,” he said. “We’ll see when we get into 2023, you’ll start to see more, that supply is catching up with demand, and maybe actually see one in the store when you walk in.”

Spencer’s comments echo those of Xbox‘s chief financial officer Tim Stuart, who said in June that console supplies “could remain rocky through 2022 and the holiday season”.

Current-gen console shortages have been an issue since Xbox Series X and PS5 launched 21 months ago, although the situation appears to be gradually improving.

And shortages haven’t stopped Xbox Series X/S making a record start, according to Microsoft. “We’ve sold more consoles life to date than any previous generation of Xbox”, CEO Satya Nadella claimed in July.

Further reading

60

Xbox says Series X|S price point ‘will remain’, following PS5 increase

Microsoft tells VGC it is 'constantly evaluating (its) business’ to offer consumers options

Spencer also told Bloomberg he expects there to be “less and less” platform exclusive games in future, that he “feels good” about the chances of Microsoft’s proposed Activision deal gaining approval, and that he’s cautious about play-to-earn crypto games.

After Sony increased the PS5 price on Thursday, Microsoft told VGC that UK retail prices for its Xbox Series X/S consoles will remain the same.