Xbox Series X: Microsoft’s next-gen console could launch 6 November

Even though Microsoft confirmed a November launch earlier this week, the company didn’t provide a specific date. However, Senior Editor at The Verge, Tom Warren, believes it may be 6 November 2020. Here’s why.

“A tipster tells me boxes of the new controllers have a ‘do not open’ date of 6 November on them. These controllers leaked earlier this week”.

Tom Warren, The Verge

Alleged Xbox controller packaging sticker

The Verge received an anonymous tip from someone who allegedly “recently purchased an unreleased Xbox Series controller. The tipster sent a photo of the controller packaging to Warren, which includes an orange packaging sticker. Warren explains:

“The box specifically tells retail stores (that receive the shipments) not to sell or display the controllers until 6 November. Microsoft has used similar orange “street date” stickers on packages at its retail stores in the past, too.”

Warren couldn’t confirm how these Xbox controllers “ended up on sale across Chicago over the weekend, despite reaching out to several sellers. Warren says that “those who have purchased [the controllers] are none the wiser” either.

Xbox Series X launch slated for 6 November?

But why do we assume that the console would launch on 6 November? Well, those who purchased the controllers activated the warranty on Microsoft’s support site, only to be informed that the warranty expires on 5 November 2021. Warren says:

“If you calculate that in terms of end dates, it’s exactly a year warranty after a 6 November release. Microsoft typically provides a 90-day warranty for individual controllers, so the company is either extending its warranty period here, or the system is working on the broader one year warranty that’s associated with Xbox consoles”.

‘A lot in store for Xbox in 2020’

Microsoft refused to comment, only saying that they “have a lot in store for Xbox in 2020 and can’t wait to share” more information with their customers. Microsoft also firmly stated that they “have nothing to announce at this time”.

The coronavirus pandemic undoubtedly threw a spanner in the works this year. Back in April, executive vice-president of Gaming at Microsoft Phil Spencer said that the safety and security of teams remains priority, but that manufacturing remained on track:

“We have nothing right now that says we’re not going to make the dates that we’ve been planning. But this is real-time stuff, and I’m going to put the safety and security of the teams at the top; along with a quality product. I don’t want to rush a product out if it’s not ready. The thing that I’m going to put front and centre is safety and security of the team”.

Also read – Xbox Series X just detailed its best weapon against PS5