Xbox 360 sells-out but aims for 10 million in 2006

Hefty.

With pretty much all the initial Xbox 360's released for day one now sold out in North America, before gamers have even recovered from the thrills of the Mojave Zero Hour launch party, Microsoft chief Peter Moore has been promising weekly stock replenishment at retailers and waxing lyrical on the company's targets for the future. Not only did he reassure aggrieved consumers that more stock will be delivered as frequently as possible following the launch, he also stated that within 90 days of launch approximately 2.5 to 3 million consoles will have been shipped worldwide. Xbox 360's are reportedly going for upto 3,000 USD on eBay at present, with all online and offline sources sold-out.

"Perhaps equally importantly," Moore told US website GameSpot.com in an interview, "by the end of the calendar year [2006], I think we'll be at 10 million units worldwide." Moore has previously set a target of ten-million consoles as key in the next-generation console battle with Sony and Nintendo... though in the short-term Microsoft are likely to be faced with millions of irate gamers simply unable to acquire an Xbox 360 at all. The system will be released in Europe and Japan before Christmas is upon us, though quite how many consoles will be provided to these regions remains to be seen, given the lack of availability in North America.

Indeed, industry watchers are predicting a potential backlash against the 360 in the wake of the sell-out launch, disappointed gamers telling their friends and families of the unit shortages and their displeasure. "We are well aware that many gamers are disappointed to have not gotten their Xbox 360 on day one. We are working around the clock to manufacture as many Xbox 360s as we can and are replenishing our retail channel week after week," Moore told GameSpot.com, noting the availability issues plaguing the launch.

Apparently, the premium pack is perhaps in highest demand, with stocks of the budget package lasting somewhat longer as hardcore gamers queued outside stores to get their hands-on the next-generation action. eBay has also been doing a roaring trade since the launch (1,800 consoles at last count) so let's hope Moore and his team can get more units to shops as soon as possible. We'll keep you posted as frustration continues to mount with Redmond's difficult 'worldwide launch' strategy.

By Luke Guttridge