The upcoming Xbox Series X may arrive on the market before the PlayStation 5, according to a new report. Both next-gen consoles from Microsoft and Sony are set to launch during the holiday season this year, but neither of them have an official release date yet.
There are a number of critical details that are still unknown about the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, even as the holiday season gets closer and closer. Chief among those are the consoles' price points and launch dates, which Sony and Microsoft still haven't shared. Leaks, rumors, and speculation have been trying to fill that void for months, and all that information has recently started to coalesce into a clearer idea for both systems. By almost all accounts, the PS5 and Xbox Series X will cost at least $500 when they come to the market and are very likely to share the same price point for the base system. However, there's still the question of when they will actually come out – and now that question may have been answered.
A recent report from Video Games Chronicle claims that the Xbox Series X is scheduled to launch at least a week before the PlayStation 5. According to "development and retail sources," both consoles will arrive in November, which is consistent with previous PS5 and Xbox Series X release date leaks. Sony apparently has a major marketing push lined up for the week leading into November 13. However, VGC's sources say that Microsoft has told developers to plan for the Xbox Series X launch in the first week of November.
These projected launch dates could mean that both systems are aiming to be on the market before Black Friday at the end of November, which would be ideal for the companies. Another VGC source said that both want to launch in advance of Black Friday because they don't want to compete with other products on super-sale, and mid-November is the best time to capitalize on the holiday sales window. The timing would also indicate that the consoles will debut alongside key games like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Cyberpunk 2077.
At this point, these release dates are more than probable. If they're accurate, then Microsoft clearly wants to get the head start on Sony and grab as many impulse buyers as possible, even though Xbox head Phil Spencer isn't worried about PS5 outselling Xbox Series X. In a year of economic uncertainty due to COVID-19, it's no surprise that the industry has had to wait so long for any substantial info on the next generation of gaming.
Source: Video Games Chronicle