Xbox To Potentially Move Away From Regular Pre-Order Models

The next-generation of console gaming has officially landed all over the world!

If you were lucky enough to secure a PS5 or an Xbox Series X/S, then you probably experience the chaos that was pre-ordering one of these consoles.

For those who did not secure one, you probably felt let down by the retailer site, or by Sony/Xbox themselves for not having enough inventory.

Well, when the next consoles roll around in a few year's time; we are sure it is going to be just as hectic to obtain one.

Well, the head of Xbox Phil Spencer has noted they are looking at new pre-order models to avoid the confusion that occurred this year.

Here's what he had to say! 

Deposit 

During the Decoder podcast with The Verge, Phil Spencer commented on a wide array of topics.

One of the more interesting ones was if Xbox plans on releasing a Smart TV companion app, but there was also a discussion about the hectic pre-orders that occurred back in September. 

Normally, we would pre-order the console a few months in advance; or try and be one of the lucky few to pick it up in person on the release of the console.

While this year was a bit different from the on-going global pandemic, it appeared a lot of retailers were having issues with inventory and calculating the exact amount of consoles they have available for pre-order.

This led to multiple consumers getting their pre-orders canceled or even delayed.

Phil has noted that they potentially looking at a new system for next time around. This one would revolve around deposit system, which would guarantee your console! 

We’ve had real discussions internally about, should I be able to reserve my slot? I’ll put some money down, I know my machine’s getting built January 20th, and I’ll get it on February 1st,

We want people to feel like there’s some consoles to go buy, and it’s not just the day where everybody gets to go pick up their console

I don’t know if that’s the right decision in today’s world. That’s very old world thinking, people are going to go line up outside of a store, kind of last decade thinking. I think we should challenge ourselves on that. Is that really the supply chain through the consumer that we’re talking about, that is a reality? We talked to our retail partners about this as well

It could be, reserve your slot. It could be doing things more direct with the customer. Still could have the retailer fulfill the order, but just so people can have more clarity on when they can get a console. It’s something we’re working on

So, it appears the chaos that was trying to pre-order a next-generation console has triggered discussions among the Xbox offices.

Are you a fan of the proposed system from Phil Spencer? Be sure to let us know!