"Disappointed" Microsoft begins weekly 360 shipments

Retailers report getting "very small" quantities of next-generation consoles as execs vent in Redmond.

The good news: Microsoft has shipped out a new batch of Xbox 360s. According to several San Francisco Bay Area retailers, the shipment, which arrived this week, was the first they received since the console's November 22 launch in North America. In the weeks since, the next-gen platform has been in very short supply, with demand further fueled by incessant media reports about it being the "hot" Christmas gift of 2005.

The bad news: Unless you preordered an Xbox 360 or have a friend who works at a retailer, you probably won't be able to get one. A manager at a San Francisco EB Games outlet said that they had received only "very small" quantities of the Xbox 360, and that the location wouldn't have any non-prelaunch preorder units available for purchase until February 2006. Employees at GameStop and Target said they had already sold all the units they received earlier in the week.

However, the new Xbox 360 shipments appear to have had no effect on online retailers' stocks--or lack thereof. EBgames.com says that orders for the console placed now "may not ship until March 2006." As has been the case for the last month, every bundled and unbundled combination of the console was listed as out of stock by the online stores of Target, Amazon, and Wal-Mart.

When asked to comment on the matter, Microsoft reps would only say, "We're working around the clock to deliver as many Xbox 360 consoles as humanly possible to meet the high consumer demand." However, San Jose Mercury News reporter Dean Takahashi said, "Microsoft is disappointed that it can't get more units of the Xbox 360 into the market." Though he stressed that that was not the official company line, Takahashi said he drew the conclusion from speaking to several notable Microsoft officials, including Xbox 360 system designer Greg Gibson and Xbox division spokesperson Molly O'Donnell.

On his official blog, Takahashi also shared what he had heard about the causes of the Xbox 360 shortage. "Various folks tell me it isn't a problem with chip yields," he wrote. "I think it's more of a systems issue, when the boxes come together. They're working on getting more units out."

157 Comments

  • skitzocyko

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 12:37 pm PT

    When you get one you'll be happy. Worth the WAIT!

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Dec 29, 2005 7:52 am PT

    I'm really looking forward to the launch of the XBOX 360!!! if I can, I'm gonna buy a few extra to sell on Ebay for mad loot!

  • shafner

    Posted Dec 29, 2005 2:22 am PT

    why is everyone so crazy about spending too much time and effort on the 360 when it's just a high end PC?

  • dawooten

    Posted Dec 27, 2005 7:22 am PT

    by the time everyone gets a xbox360, ps3 is going to be out.

  • darkside5001

    Posted Dec 27, 2005 6:31 am PT

    Stupid shortages.

  • holidaysins

    Posted Dec 26, 2005 9:54 am PT

    i think ill wait for the ps3 even though i have perfect dark and a wireless controller

  • gix47

    Posted Dec 25, 2005 1:43 am PT

    haha, x-box 360 is dying a slow death,after the ps3 and rev. come out then the X-box will be able th meet the demand but it will be too late

  • LiliShake

    Posted Dec 25, 2005 12:09 am PT

    They weighed first to market with supply. First to market won. If you were a business exec, what would you have done? Think about it... Seriously.

  • goku2000

    Posted Dec 24, 2005 7:29 pm PT

    A friend of mine went to Sam's Club and was able to buy a 360. Just thought people might want to know that. Apparently nobody goes there to buy electronics.

  • robowarriorx

    Posted Dec 23, 2005 1:44 pm PT

    Yes, I know it's a rumor on the HD-DVD thing, but it makes sense that it wouldn't come with the system now, as first of all it's not even implemented yet, and secondly, you mentioned how the Xbox had a hard time playing some dvd's. The reason for that was because M$ rushed out the first systems with new "experimental" drives. They used 3 different companies to manufacture the dvd drives, and each company had its own standards. That is why some xbox systems don't play the gold disks, and others have issues with the dvd movies, so it would seem M$ learned a bit from it's past mistakes if, indeed, the HD-DVD solution becomes a reality. I do agree that it would cost extra, but I'm going to go one further and estimate the cost at closer to $150-$200. I know the main function of an HD drive would be the movies, but in order to compete with PS3 blue ray, even multi system ports are going to probably be above the roughly 8.5 gigs you can fit on a standard dual layer dvd. To compete, the 360 games may and probably will come on multiple dvds. Now, if that's the case, game costs are going to rise back to what they were in the 16 bit era- $70-$100 for the hottest rpgs, etc...I know M$ is losing money on the hardware, but they plan to recoup their losses through all of the software and accessories they plan to sell, because I know we all spend a boatload on games, extra controllers, etc. Plus, they are getting money through the download service on the 360, licensing aside. When the PS3 is released, it will be regarded as superior due to the sheer amount of storage offered by the blue ray, and to remain competitive, M$ is going to have to do something, as not only will developers move more towards the PS3, the public will as well, as most people will percieve the PS3 as the superior system, whether it is or not, due to the sheer amount of content available on one game. That is also a big part of what will justify $ony being able to sell their product for a more expensive price. Now, I say this is a strong possibility because history has shown this to be correct. Look at the N64 vs. the PS1. The 64 was a far more powerful system, but due to the prohibitive costs and the restrictions of a cartridge based format, developers and consumers abandoned the 64 as a whole. I know there were other factors involved as well, but that had a lot to do with the N64 not being anywhere near as popular as Snes, Nes, or the PSX. So, first of all, sorry to go off like this! This isn't a criticism or anything, I just got really board and I like to talk about video games. M$ isn't stupid, and neither is $ony. I guess we really won't know anything until probably after E3. Until then, long live the gamer!!!

  • otakuboy68

    Posted Dec 23, 2005 8:11 am PT

    Sony must be having a ball. Microsoft has created a list of things NOT to do during launch. I just TOUCHED a 360 yesterday (12/23) for the first time. It was in Target, but I couldnt play it. I don't even know anyone who has one. I'm just not liking the whole deal around this console. Maybe I should just stick to the realiable Psx/2/3?

  • donaldtroberts

    Posted Dec 23, 2005 3:47 am PT

    The rumored HD-DVD attachment is nothing but that. A RUMOR. If Microsoft was going to have HD-DVD it would have come with the system. Microsoft wants you to believe that so you will buy a 360 in hopes that it will be true. Im on to Microsofts way of thinking. I dont believe greedy Bill Gates would really invest more money in a risky endevour like that, even if his pockets are deeper than the grand canyon. There is no guarantee he would even sell that many to the true gamers who care less about movies. They are to busy playing on line. And if he does come out with it, expect it to be at least 100 bucks. Just my thoughts. Im no expert.

  • donaldtroberts

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 11:52 pm PT

    I do agree my xbox is rugged. I tried to take apart an older one and after a while I started beating the dam thing with a hammer and still was having a hard time busting it open. My only problem with xbox 1 is that they mess up when your playing DVDs. Every xbox me or my friends have ever owned had trouble playing DVD movies all the way through. Just the opposite with PS2, It plays DVDs well. But Im hoping Sony has learned from its mistakes. There is a reason that Ps2 sells more than xbox, And there will also be a reason that Ps3 will sell more than xbox 360. If Sony plays there cards right and thouroughly test its product before launch to make sure there are no problems and hopefully will not try the same crap as MS and Include the hard drive with the system. Then I dont see how they can go wrong after Microsofts messed up launch.

  • crazygunz

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 11:23 pm PT

    Another thing XAF1- My first generation Playstation 2 broke 3 years after I got it and the Sony representatives that helped me admitted that it was the companies fault and fixed it for absolutely nothing. So I don't know where you are getting your, "Sony doesn't admit to it's consoles defects" information, but I'd say it's a little false.

  • robowarriorx

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 11:20 pm PT

    Well my juggalo friend (shaggydoo29) unforunately there won't be any premium bundles next christmas, 'cuz M$ is going to stop selling/producing them after Xmas. On the bright side, the rumored HD-DVD attachment should be out by then, along with bigger hard drives. I agree about the bugs, too. On to other things, we'll see about PS3. Anybody ever had a PS2 or know anyone with a PS2 that gave the disk read error? You really think PS3 is going to have a flawless launch? Don't make me laugh. I used to repair systems, and in 10 months time, our 3 local stores did well over 2,000 ps2's, all of them first, second, and third generation ps2's. Know how many Xbox's? Go ahead, guess...OK, I'll tell you...3. We had others, but those were ones that people screwed up on their own. And of course, we never had a Gamecube. We had one someone had brought in that was dropped into their basement. Twice. And it still worked. So, when BrokeStation 3 comes out, have fun at launch. I'll wait about a year to get my ps3, when I know they work. Until then, all fanboys- STFU!

  • crazygunz

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 11:19 pm PT

    XAF1- Not to burst your bubble or anything, but we get Xbox 360 first because it's made by an American company. Japan gets it later because translations have to be made. It's the same thing with anything made by the Japanese. The majority of Japanese games get released their first because, yep you guessed it the Japanese just so happen to develop the games in their own language, and then they have to be translated into English. So in the end Microsoft isn't trying to be nice, they're doing business. It wouldn't make sense for them to develop the console for Japan first and then release it here second anyways since the system can't sell out there.

  • donaldtroberts

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 10:50 pm PT

    Microsoft says its losing 150 dollars for every 360 they sell. Add that to the 400 plus dollars they are losing for every one they dont sell. Doesn't look pretty to me. If your anything like me 400 dollars aint chicken feed. I only get to spend that much at the end of the year when I get my christmas bonus. Since Ive given up hope on the 360 and spent my money on other things it looks like MS is out of luck getting any of my money. Its your own fault Bill Gates, you are the richest dumbass I know.

  • shaggydoo29

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 10:45 pm PT

    Hehheh... I am waiting until NEXT Christmas to get mine.. I figure by then Microsoft will lower the "premium" package to the $249 range. There will be plenty available by then, plus they probably will have released a new, less "buggy" version of it. Further, there will be more games out there that I might want to play, plus the emulator for the original XBOX should be fully compatible with the 360 come late 2006.

  • lalozzy_001

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 7:48 pm PT

    And another thing, maybe japanese guys are very smart and that is the reason they don´'t buy that crap called XBOX 360, and maybe just maybe that's the reason all that consoles are "sitting".

  • lalozzy_001

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 7:38 pm PT

    Well, if you ask me about this XBOX 360 circus, i have to say this, if you keep waiting for your consoles you´ll get old, so if you are going to wait all this time, why dont you´change your mind and buy a PS3 instead?

  • lalozzy_001

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 7:37 pm PT

    Well, if you ask me about this XBOX 360 circus, i have to say this, if you keep waiting for your consoles ypu´ll get old, so if you are going to wait all this time, why dont you´change your mind and buy a PS3 instead?

  • CyphenX

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 7:37 pm PT

    Let's just hope that the problem is aleviated quickley...

  • djdizz

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 7:05 pm PT

    well i got mine so im happy

  • XAF1

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 5:15 pm PT

    It's pretty funny to me how much we American gamers gripe about having something nice done for us by MS. Yeah I have my Xbox 360 but I was one of the smart ones who waited outside Best Buy over night on release day---if you really wanted it you would have planned ahead and did what it took. We, American gamers, are lucky. Usually we end up waiting 6 months to a year to get a system that has already been release in Japan and had the same problems we are having now. MS at least thought enough of us to give us the 1st shot you whinners. Also there has always been a certain percentage of defective consoles in the beginning of each ones life cycle and that probably won't change. Regrettably for Japan the Japanese gamers ended up being the test subjects in the past and now the shoe is on the other foot and we have that job. Actually a global release was a good idea, for once gamers are being considered a little bit more than just the wallet. If all MS wanted was your money they could have put out a million defective systems here and never took them back or owned up to the fact that "Yes this does occur in a small percentage of Xbox360s." I own every console that has been big over the years and I must admit that MS has been the only company to admit to this issue and fix it as quickly as possible at there own expense. I don't know about them as a software builder but I can honestly say I love them as a console company aleast through the 2 systems--Xbox, Xbox 360---I own. I think Sony could take a few notes from them. And if Sega would have truely have been as consumer driven as MS seems to be they would have survived as a console Manufacturer. Sometimes we have to pay to be first. Japanese gamers learned this years ago now it's our turn so quit complaining. I'm sure we will wait at least 6 months or more for a U.S. PS3 release after Japan gets it and I will be waiting in line then aswell; just learn to plan ahead and go with the flow.

  • hush404

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 4:37 pm PT

    Hey! IDEA!! Just take all those thousands of 360's that are sitting in Japan and ship them over to the US and even Europe to people who actually want them.

  • hush404

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 4:34 pm PT

    The Xwhat? lol. What happened to the "weekly" shipments right after nov22?? Hmm?

  • crazygunz

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 2:49 pm PT

    Really, did you all think that there wouldn't be a shortage? Come on, it's a brand new console and its the only new next generation console on the market. Common sense should tell you that you may not get the system right away. It happened with PS2 and it's going to happen with PS3. I'm personally going to wait until PS3 and the Revolution (yes even though it is going to have comparable graphics to the gamecube, gameplay is important too ya know.) are released because from the sounds of it, half the 360 games, especially the sports titles, don't even have all the features that their PS2 counterparts have. This sounds like a rush job to me. I'll keep my $400.00 and save it for PS3 and Revolution thank you very much.

  • Grydeskeen2

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 2:10 pm PT

    i allready bought my second 360

  • lebeau32

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 12:27 pm PT

    Geez are people still preaching that it's a marketing ploy? Christmas is Sunday!!!! If it was a marketing ploy this would have been the week to saturate the market with 360's. Obviously those that keep crying "Marketing Ploy" really have no clue as to what marketing is all about. Mine was pre-ordered and I still don't have it. Reminds me of the PS2 launch, but at least I was able to get that one on the day it came out, of course KB toys decided to up the cost another $25 dollars (the day of) when I bought that.

  • The_Magical_Man

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 11:20 am PT

    Someone is going to get Dreamcasted

  • ChoadS

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 10:48 am PT

    BestBuy just got some more this morning, got mine now!!

  • Nicekebabkillen

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 10:35 am PT

    Just wait for ps3..

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 10:12 am PT

    Well, maybe I can finally get my 360 that I've had preordered at EB since August.

  • Al3xki

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 10:12 am PT

    If you want an XBOX360 come to Cyprus. Nearly all the gaming shops have them and people give cristmas presents on the First of Janaury

  • lageasy311

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 10:00 am PT

    I can post comments now?? hooray?

  • ZEELIX

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 9:52 am PT

    well they coulda released it maybe later before spring but id rather have it come out as soon as possible even if the stock is low.

  • thekey

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 8:52 am PT


    zwzo So true!

    ezrock212
    3 6 0, 3 6 0, 3 6 0...

    LordOfMidnight
    That is stupid, so your meaning to tell me that sony did the same thing for the PS2 on there launch? I don't think so.

  • R3last

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 8:44 am PT

    So there's a "surplus" of sorts in Japan and the US can't produce them fast enough? Coincidence probably not, I'm trying not to become one of those rabid MS haters, but they know what they're doing it's the law of supply and demand. They hold back US supplies on purpose to keep the name in the news.

  • ShockwavMk2

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 7:11 am PT

    Actually I believe Microsoft has already said that they aren't even thinking of releasing HD-DVD 360s. The article was on here like last week.

  • S7ATER

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 7:06 am PT

    Really Microsoft shouldn't even be making the 360's right now. Why you ask? Well earlier news reports of 360 said that the 360 would get a makeover to be able to use HDDVD capabilities. Meaning that these 360 coming out will be crap when the HDDVD ones come out. So basically any of you people getting a 360 now are going to be screwed. My advice wait until microsoft has gotten ALL and I mean ALL kinks out of there system and wait for HDDVD 360 comes out or just wait for a PS3 lol.

    Also News topic I had read, that this was Microsoft's original plan to have shortages because it would be great marketing. They said that if they had a shortage, people would be "wow that's sold out, it must be really popular, maybe I should get one too". So really whoever thought of this for microsoft should be FIRED.

  • skunkburner01

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 6:50 am PT

    I wonder how many early adopters that paid double just to get their hands on the console are already bored with the console.

    I can't believe so many people shelled out all this extra dough to play a dozen or so games. Most of which can be played on the PC and look a helluva lot better.

    Why wouldn't you just wait? Did anyone see when the next game is coming out for the 360? Looks like February-March. Isn't that when "everyone" is supposed to have a 360?

    Interesting....

  • dexthageek

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 6:36 am PT

    If some of us will be patient, come late january, i believe you will be able to walk into the store and pick one up off the shelf. The shortage is M$ generated marketing. I hate M$,even more since I work in IT, their software sucks. However, I will be purchasing an Xbox 360 this spring.

  • necrogodomega

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 6:10 am PT

    Well for whoever said that if people just pre ordered it is not reading the article. People that have preordered (which are in the thousands) still haven't gotten their systems. Eb/ Gamestop have tons of preorders they can't fill.

  • joe_fuu

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 5:55 am PT

    So has anybody purchased one "after" launch day?

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 5:30 am PT

    sweet.... time to try and get one!!!!

  • kmne11528

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 4:10 am PT

    I agree with you there, I'm from England and I preordered mine online in september but have to wait until March to get one!! If they had of done a PS2 type launch instead of a stupid so called worldwide launch, then it would have been more successful.Hopefully this will be a good thing as I've heard too many bad reports about the 360, so maybe I'll get a one that works! KEEP HOPE ALIVE!!!!!

  • donaldtroberts

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 3:43 am PT

    See, Thats why they should have launched excusively in america, Ive been saying that ever since they first announced there unbelievable, greedy launch plans. Christmas is celebrated more in america than anywhere else. All those 360 consoles sitting on the shelves in europe and japan could have already been sold here. Then all the xbox fans would like microsoft and the word would have spread to europe and japan, and they would wait in anticipation for next year when Microsoft would make their 2 launch. And all would be well in the microsoft world, and greedy lil bill gates could swim in all his friggin money. Hey Bill , you need someone to head your 360 company for you give me a holler.

  • Nintendo_Man

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 3:40 am PT

    Why are people in the US complaining, the console isn't due here in Australia until March. But we will not run out of stock without a doubt.

  • chickonspeed

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 3:18 am PT

    What I don't understand is why people complaining didn't have the foresight to just bloody preorder the system like, in MAY.

    My friend did so, was #1 and got his system. Everyone else complaining should have known better.

    That said, I do want one, but I'm thinking I'll get better use out of a PS3.

  • paulg_scotland

    Posted Dec 22, 2005 3:06 am PT

    Funny thing is that in mainland Europe (Spain) at least the core packs are already available without pre-order.... dont know if its because the launch is not very successful... because people do not expect them to be on the shelves so they are not looking.... or that nobody wants the core pack..

    I did not buy one.... think I will wait until the PS3 is released at which point the price will drop and I will buy both a PS3 and XBOX360.

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