Home Gaming Xbox One launch delayed in eight countries

Xbox One launch delayed in eight countries

2 min read
37

Xbox One will be launching in November, but the market is getting smaller. It was originally meant to be available in 21 countries, but that has now been reduced to 13. We know South Africa isn’t on the A-list, but why are other countries being downgraded?

In an Xbox wire, Microsoft confirmed that the Xbox would be available in November in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, UK, USA and New Zealand. This means that Belgium, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland will have to wait another few months. This will be particularly disappointing for those people who already pre-ordered. Xbox explains:

While we wish we could launch Xbox One simultaneously in these markets, there are many factors that determine the timing of specific market launches. This includes work to localize the Xbox One dash, incorporate additional voice and languages, and build partnerships to bring apps and meaningful local content to each country.

Oh, but don’t worry if you already preordered:

If you are in these markets and have questions about your pre-order, please contact the local retailer where you placed your pre-order. To show our appreciation for your patience, if you have already preordered an Xbox One Day One system before today in those countries, you will also receive a pack-in game with your console when it launches.

Really? So language and localization are the issues? Why do I find that hard to believe? I mean, look at Switzerland. They speak French and German there – but were taken off the launch list while France and Germany remain. What’s to stop the Dutch and Belgians from hopping on a train to those countries and buying one sooner (assuming there’s stock)? Truly, Microsoft is being silly by segmenting the EU market; they are so strict about free movement of goods, it’s hard to believe the other countries won’t get hold of the console across borders. If anything, Microsoft is going to make it harder for the people in those launch countries to get a hold of the Xbox One – everyone and their mother will be shipping it around the continent.

I blame the TV. I bet that’s the holdup for the Xbox One. Until they can integrate with all the TV providers, they won’t launch. Meanwhile, the PS4 will be shipping worldwide. It just don’t seem like a wise decision from Xbox. Launch your console, but inform people in those countries that they might not be able to watch TV – who is actually buying the Xbox One on day one to watch TV?

Just when we were getting good news out of Microsoft what with the Kinect not being necessary, now some more bad news. Or who knows, maybe it’s all just a ploy and they will actually announce in another 180 that they will be launching globally!

Last Updated: August 15, 2013

37 Comments

  1. Alien Emperor Trevor

    August 15, 2013 at 10:06

    Give with the one hand, take with the other.

    Who wants to bet the problem really revolves around manufacturing?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      August 15, 2013 at 10:10

      I think Zoe is right though. Why Brazil but not most of Europe and Russia.

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        August 15, 2013 at 10:19

        I would guess the decision was based on pre-order info & sales predictions.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          August 15, 2013 at 10:34

          Hehe Europe like japan doesn’t want the XBOX?

          Reply

      • Zoe

        August 15, 2013 at 10:22

        yeah – russia is a MASSIVE market. why aren’t they going for it?

        Reply

        • Wtf101

          August 15, 2013 at 10:29

          Maybe they are waiting on confirmation that the chips:citizen ration is okay. What good is a Russian without chips?

          Reply

        • Melasco

          August 15, 2013 at 10:31

          I dunno, the Russians seem to do a really good job keeping life interesting without games…

          http://thechive.com/2013/05/24/from-russia-with-wtf-44-photos-video/

          Reply

        • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

          August 15, 2013 at 10:33

          KGB doesn’t like spies

          Reply

        • Sageville

          August 15, 2013 at 11:19

          Clearly they need to localize the spy software for the kinect, remove all references to Putin etc.

          Reply

          • Zoe

            August 15, 2013 at 11:32

            or maybe they are too gay friendly in their interface for russia….

          • Sageville

            August 15, 2013 at 11:47

            Hmmm….

    • Mark Treloar

      August 15, 2013 at 10:51

      They ran out of power bricks

      Reply

  2. Melasco

    August 15, 2013 at 10:06

    Meh… I’m not getting an XBone, but I’d really like to know what the local PS4 price and launch data will be….

    Reply

    • Sageville

      August 15, 2013 at 11:17

      You and me both

      Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    August 15, 2013 at 10:13

    So where are we on the list? DSTV shouldn’t be to hard to integrate.

    Reply

    • Wtf101

      August 15, 2013 at 10:15

      If MS wanted to do tv viewers a favour, they should have included a torrent client…

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        August 15, 2013 at 10:34

        LOL

        Reply

    • Wesley Fick

      August 15, 2013 at 13:53

      DSTV hasn’t even begun to talk about integration with the Xbox One with Microsoft. I don’t think they even really want to, either.

      Reply

  4. RinceThisandholiday

    August 15, 2013 at 10:15

    FOXHOUND! Where are you? Agree with you Zoe, this sounds really stupid. Why use language as an excuse?

    Reply

    • Jonah Cash

      August 15, 2013 at 11:15

      He is probably back at his burrow chasing his own tail again like after the announcements!! We will see him in a week or so!!

      Reply

  5. Alien Emperor Trevor

    August 15, 2013 at 10:21

    Russia doesn’t get the Xbone because they gave Snowden asylum. Conspiracy! TINFOIL HAT ENGAGE.

    Reply

    • Wtf101

      August 15, 2013 at 10:28

      Or maybe Russia could not convince Tatu to reform for the launch?

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        August 15, 2013 at 10:31

        Eh, win some lose some.

        Reply

  6. Umar Kiiroi Senk?

    August 15, 2013 at 10:22

    Okay so now I’m waiting for the PS4 tutorial advert showcasing how to launch your console in all regions

    Reply

  7. Martin du preez

    August 15, 2013 at 10:29

    Launch failure imminent!

    http://i41.tinypic.com/2pze1j9.gif

    Reply

    • nicksimp101

      August 15, 2013 at 10:59

      Waaahahahahaa

      Reply

    • CypherGate

      August 15, 2013 at 11:15

      LMAO!

      Reply

    • Unavengedavo

      August 15, 2013 at 11:33

      Can comment of the week have a gif in it? Because this has my vote!!

      Reply

    • RinceThisandholiday

      August 15, 2013 at 12:07

      Winner!

      Reply

  8. Mark Treloar

    August 15, 2013 at 10:52

    So what about Portugal, Greece and Italy? or do they not use consoles?

    Reply

  9. ElNicko

    August 15, 2013 at 10:54

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so2wJJPge88 Think this sums it up quite nicely….,.

    Reply

  10. Apie

    August 15, 2013 at 10:57

    If they do announce anything in the form of a 180, I hope it is that you can get an Xbox One without a Kinect at all.

    Reply

  11. HvR

    August 15, 2013 at 11:05

    Why Australia, they are not even allowed to play games that contain any violence, swearing or anything resembling sex between 2 human beings.

    Reply

    • Sageville

      August 15, 2013 at 11:15

      It’s all about the localization, it takes alot of work to add the annoying Auzzie accents and the big work in localizing 3D models of people into 3D models of sheep for all those steamy sex scenes.

      Reply

  12. Drizzt

    August 15, 2013 at 12:02

    My question is does this mean that after release will they shift focus over to those countries meaning countries MS hates (like South Africa) will have to wait to 2015 before we see XBox One?

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      August 15, 2013 at 12:05

      According to Microsoft locally this will have no effect on our launch window.. which hasn’t been announced yet.

      Reply

      • Drizzt

        August 15, 2013 at 12:36

        Call me cynical but Microsoft aren’t what one could consider reliable. They say one thing and do the opposite.

        Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Rumor: Xbox One reaching delayed regions Q3 2014 – SA 2015?

Rumor has it that the Xbox One will be seriously delayed in the Nordic countries, what doe…