Pre-orders have officially begun for Microsoft's next-gen systems. There's the flagship console, the Xbox Series X, and an all-digital version called the Xbox Series S. Although the consoles officially launch on November 10th, pre-orders went live on September 22nd. So, what happens when retailers run out of all available pre-orders?

So far, the release to the Xbox Series X and Series S have seemingly been less chaotic than those of Sony's PlayStation 5. This was mostly due to Microsoft announcing an exact time for pre-orders, and threatening to punish any retailers who lifted pre-order embargoes early. However, the week of pre-orders wasn't without a few surprises, most notably Microsoft's announcement that it had acquired ZeniMax Media, which gives the company ownership of big-name IPs like DOOM and The Elder Scrolls.

Related: Why Xbox's Zenimax Purchase Is Nearly DOUBLE What Star Wars Cost Disney

With Microsoft's next-gen exclusives problem seemingly fixed, it announced the ZeniMax acquisition the day before pre-orders went live. It was a genius move from Microsoft, and it likely helped sell more consoles on September 22nd. The Xbox Series X and Series S pre-orders went live at 8 am PST and 11 am EST, and eager fans attempted to grab one as quickly as possible. Despite Microsoft's attempt at creating a smooth pre-order experience, there have been a couple of bumps along the way.

How To Buy An Xbox Series X When Orders Run Out

xbox sereis x and s

As expected, retailer web sites began to crash almost immediately once pre-orders for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S went live. On social media, people reported waiting in line for inordinate amounts of time and consoles being removed from their carts. It's an increasingly common occurrence when a hot item goes live, but it can still be frustrating. Most online retailers sold out of the next-gen consoles almost instantly, but restocks will most likely happen a few times between now and the November 10th release day.

So, what happens when all Xbox Series X and Series S pre-orders run out? At some point, retailers will stop restocking inventory as they get closer to release day, and 2020 is no ordinary year. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic means supply shortages are a very real possibility. Even with shortages, though, more units of the Xbox Series X and Series S should arrive on release day. So for people who don't manage to grab one of the pre-orders, the consoles should still be available in stores on November 10th.

After that, the real test comes. Console shortages could realistically bleed into the holiday season and new year, which is why it's always a good idea to keep up-to-date on the latest Xbox news. Microsoft is working hard to ensure the supply of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles meets the demand, but the consoles may be more scarce after launch than before. The important takeaway is not to panic and be patient.

Scalpers are already trying to sell the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S for gouged prices, but it's much too early to resort to buying a console that way. Retailers should restock in the following days, and maybe even weeks, so the key is just keeping an eye out for it. Anyone who wants a next-gen Xbox console should stay updated on the latest Xbox news and continue to check online retail sites for restocks.

Next: Xbox Preorders: How & Where To Order Xbox Series X & Xbox Series S [UPDATED]