Xbox boss Phil Spencer appears to be confident about meeting the Xbox Series X release date. Xbox has confirmed that the Xbox Series X release date will be in holiday 2020 but some fans have fears that the COVID-19 pandemic could delay the launch of the console.
Speaking to IGN, Spencer said that the Xbox Series X supply chain in China is beginning to become available again and that this is "working for us." The Xbox boss also said that "we have nothing right now that says we’re not gonna make the dates that we’ve been planning," which is a hugely positive things for fans to hear. However, the Xbox team isn't going to put the console above the safety and security of the people making it and Spencer knows that things could change between now and holiday 2020.
Something else that Spencer and the Xbox team aren't going to do is launch the Xbox Series X in different regions at different times. Choosing to do this is likely one major reason why the Xbox One has had poor sales in Japan. Spencer, who has visited Japan to talk about the Xbox Series X with developers, has said that the Xbox Series X will be available in the region at launch. There don't seem to be any plans to change that as Microsoft wants to try much harder to get Japanese gamers buying its console.
Spencer also said that the team will not hold the Halo Infinite release date back if the Xbox Series X has to be delayed. The game is one of the biggest titles to have been affected by the pandemic as the Halo Infinite development team is now working from home. The Xbox boss also said that developers do feel "stretched" by the conditions. Spencer hasn't thought much about what happens if each of these parts is delayed though meaning that Microsoft may have to come up with a plan for delaying the console or the game.
Halo Infinite is one of the biggest games confirmed for the Xbox Series X and is one major reason why so many want to buy the console. Games like Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga have been confirmed for the console but it's unclear if it will be a launch title.
This means that releasing Halo Infinite at a different time to the Xbox Series X could have a huge effect on the console's potential sales this year. No delay of the game or the console has been confirmed but it could lead to a big change in Microsoft's plans if that happens.
Xbox Series X is scheduled for release Holiday 2020.