The great chip shortage has many consumers on the hunt for top products, like game consoles, so Microsoft is testing out a pseudo-reservation system for the Xbox Series X/S.
For now, the pilot program will only be open to a small number of US consumers. It’s currently targeting owners of the last-generation Xbox One console—or people who are likely looking to upgrade. The other requirement is membership as an Xbox Insider, which allows users to test out and provide feedback on beta features. Anyone can join as an Insider, but the pilot program will only apply to existing users.
“In the coming weeks, selected Insiders will receive a notification from Xbox via the Xbox dashboard messaging system alerting them they have a console reserved for them,” Microsoft told us. “Allocations for this program are supported with a portion of inventory from the Microsoft Store and will fluctuate based on when new stock becomes available.”
According to an official Xbox post on Reddit, eligible users can participate by checking the Xbox Insider Hub on the Xbox One console for “Xbox Series X/S Console Purchase Pilot.”
The company says space for the program is limited, and not all who register will be selected. But if you are picked, Microsoft will ask about your willingness to buy an Xbox Series X or S console, but won’t necessarily require a commitment. The company will then let you know if a unit becomes available. However, the order can only be placed using the Xbox One console.
The approach may be an antidote to the ongoing console shortage. Currently, if you want to buy an Xbox Series X online, you need to wait for retailers to restock. Then you have to hope the units won’t be immediately sold out due to consumer demand and scalpers.
Microsoft’s pilot system, on the other hand, proposes directly messaging Xbox owners about their interest in owning the new console, and then notifying them about a chance to buy one. The company added: “This testing may help inform new ways we make products available to fans in the future, and the feedback we receive from Insiders will inform whether we roll out the pilot more broadly.”
