Microsoft confirms Xbox launch delay

[09.21.01] » Bumped back to November 15th, the console now only has a three-day lead on the GameCube.

   Microsoft confirmed today that the Xbox launch back from November 8th to November 15th. The delay likely comes as a result of reported shortages that would have reduced the number of Xbox consoles available on the 8th to only 300,000 instead of the initally planned 600,000 to 800,000.

   Microsoft, however, would not comment on exactly how many Xboxes would be available on the new launch date. "We've just moved on to not focusing on the day one number," said Robbie Bach, Chief Xbox Officer for Microsoft. The company said it still expects to ship between 1 million and 1.5 million Xboxes in North America by the end of the year.

   As a result of the delay, the Xbox is again due out the same week as the Nintendo GameCube, which will be released on November 18th. Nintendo's new system has also suffered a delay; the system was originally scheduled to ship before the Xbox on November 5th.

   Thanks to Mommy Vestal for the tip.