Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has said that Xbox Series X and PS5 stock isn’t to blame for the ongoing console shortage, it’s the unprecedented demand that’s causing the problem. Spencer made this comment while talking to New York Times (via Video Games Chronicle) where he revealed that console supply is “actually as big as it’s ever been” despite component shortages.
Xbox and PS5 Stock: Why are people still struggling to find a next-gen console?
Component shortages are just one piece of the puzzle. According to Spencer, even gaming networks are feeling the stress of an increase in gaming activity. He further revealed that Microsoft has already sold more Xbox consoles in this generation than ever before, indicating that both Sony and Microsoft are producing more units than they have in the past.
“When you think about trying to go get an Xbox or a new PlayStation right now in the market, they’re really hard to find,” Spencer said. “And it’s not because supply is smaller than it’s ever been. It’s that demand is exceeding the supply for all of us.” That said, Spencer recognizes that it’s up to console manufacturers to figure out a way to meet demand, and that’s what both companies are endeavoring to do.
Opinion: Xbox Series X and PS5 Stock shortages are frustrating but understandable
Zarmena writes… It appears that both Sony and Microsoft underestimated demand for their respective consoles and their manufacturing facilities have been stretched to their limits, especially in the midst of a pandemic. There is a general tendency to blame scalpers but it would be foolish to assume that scalpers are hoarding consoles for months on end. Their inventory turnover is good enough for scalping to be a lucrative business to begin with, which is to say that those consoles are ultimately ending up with consumers. Demand for the PS5 and Xbox Series X far outweighs the current supply, which is already the highest it has ever been for both companies. The situation is frustrating, but it’s understandable. Increasing production capacity isn’t an overnight process.
In other news, Phil Spencer wants cross-platform bans for toxic players, and a former Bend Studio developer revealed that the rejected Resistance game would have used Days Gone‘s open world.
