Xbox fans who are upset about Xbox Series X|S availability can register for a new Console Purchase Pilot that might help make it happen more quickly.
“We’re introducing the Console Purchase Pilot, allowing US Xbox Insiders on Xbox One to register for a chance to reserve an Xbox Series X|S console,” the Xbox Insider account tweeted. “Check the Xbox Insider Hub on Xbox One for details. Limited space is available and not all who register will be selected.”
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The Console Purchase Pilot seems to be aimed at thwarting the scalpers who have apparently been mopping up all of the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 consoles that become available and then selling them with huge markups. And it comes in the wake of a Sony admission that its own consoles probably won’t be widely available until 2023.
The program is available only in the United States for now, but Microsoft may expand it internationally if it proves successful.
dftf
<p>About time one of the console-makers did something like this… and financially, such a scheme makes logical-sense too.</p><p><br></p><p>I know people always say "if scalpers buy-up the console-stock, what do they care… it’s still a sale". Well sure, when they report console sales-figures it’ll help them there, with the stats… but remember most consoles <em>are sold at a loss</em>; especially for Sony and Microsoft’s ones, and especially in at-least the first few-years they are on-the-market (until hardware-revisions generally make them cheaper-to-manufacturer).</p><p><br></p><p>Microsoft and Sony will make most of their money through the actual software sales — and scalper units won’t be used until they are sold-on again, meaning a revenue-stream is lost (or at-least delayed). Getting those consoles into the hands of a genuine gamer faster means more revenue, so coupled with the good PR a scheme like this generates, and respect by the fanbase, it’s an overall win-win…</p>