Xbox Boss Confirms Our Previous Report about PS5 & Series X Next-Gen Console Launch Conflicts

We can wait an extra 6 months

Exactly a month ago, we broke the story that Xbox Series X and PS5 were facing production problems. This means that everyone will not be able to get their hands on the systems this holiday cycle.

However, Microsoft has reiterated that they’re still in production for Series X; but hasn’t said if they’ll have enough to fulfill consumer demand in the fourth quarter. The PlayStation 5 will be the rarest device to get, as analyst expect just over a million consoles to be available for the launch.

Xbox lead boss, Phil Spencer confirmed that COVID-19 will affect many games will be delayed next year; which has us wondering why both major companies are releasing consoles prematurely. Spender said that motion capture and audio recording work has been stopped during quarantine, with no signs of picking up steam.

During the first half of 2021, many gamers will have the lack of diversity in getting new titles; including titles like Madden and FIFA, that could see disruption from the lockdown. Games that were slated to arrive before 2021, will still release to the general public likely at a longer delayed release than usual.

Titles like Madden 2022, NBA 2K22, and FIFA 22 could see impacts the hardest; if their studios aren’t allowed to open back up before next spring. If we get ported games from mid-gen upgrades, we’ll see later this year; it defeats the purpose of spending $500 for either console in November.

Yes, this will likely also delay Take-Two’s long-awaited release for Grand Theft Auto 6 as well. Outside of Halo Infinite, which has been in development for over 5 years, we’re not seeing a legit purpose to go out and upgrade so soon.

Take a look at the head of Xbox speaking on the future impact of COVID-19 titles for late 2021 and beyond.

Xbox leader Phil Spencer:

Through the summer, early fall? I feel pretty good about those games. Games that were targeting a year from now or beyond? There’ll be some impact, but they’ll be able to react.

Mocap is just something that’s basically stopped. We’re not going into mocap studios. If you had all your animation captured and you’re doing touch up in more individual art production and in areas like textures and other things, you’re in a better position.

If you’re waiting for a lot of either large audio work — when it’s with symphonies and other things — or mocap, you’re held up right now and you’re making progress in areas that you are.

It’s really in those games like Madden and FIFA that were trying to finally get all their asset base together in terms of art production that they might have the biggest impact.

Even though we’re obviously not traveling to China, we feel good about our progress on hardware. I’ve got my take-home console downstairs and I’m playing on it most nights, and I feel good about the software updates that we’re doing.

From the kind of pomp and circumstance around launches, you might find a time where there’s some impact, some things that were going to launch, and maybe they moved a little bit.

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