Despite repeated assurances from the Xbox team that its next-gen console, the Xbox Series X, will launch in 2020, some fans have remained skeptical. It has little to do with confidence in the Xbox team, but rather an acknowledgment of the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world and its lasting impact. Yet, if this latest rumor is to be believed, Xbox has been correct. The Xbox Series X is said to be currently in production and remains on schedule for release holiday 2020.
XboxEra is claiming to have a leaked portion of an interview between French outlet Xboxygen and Xbox France director Ina Gelbert. In the interview, Gelbert is asked directly whether Xbox Series X production is ongoing, whether it’s “in the factories.” Gelbert candidly responds that it is, saying, “It’s a lot of work to launch consoles like that.” “There’s a lot of work to do,” implying that production has to start this early to ensure enough stock is made for 2020’s holiday launch.
In an earlier question, Gelbert does ask rhetorically whether France will “have enough” consoles come launch. She explains how France is now one of Xbox’s priority countries for the Xbox Series X launch. She says that the current plan is to “have the units for launch” but admits some things are out of Xbox’s control. For the time being, at least, things remain on track.
“Today I do not see any risk for France, under any circumstances. But if tomorrow, or a few days before the launch, there is a huge containment in t he world… then we will not be able to do much about it,” is how Gelbert describes the situation. She believes that the Xbox Series X is on track and remains on track to launch as planned holiday 2020 – at least in France. The only thing that could change that is something uncontrollable, which she admits is possible and has to be considered.
Gelbert’s admission is the same as fans could likely have assumed for themselves at this point in time in the pandemic. A second wave of COVID-19 is absolutely possible. All anyone can do, including companies like Microsoft, is take it seriously and hope the rest of the world is doing so, too.
For the time being, the Xbox Series X remains on schedule for release holiday 2020. Production of the console is apparently ongoing, which could change with the wind. To be fair, this interview hasn’t been officially confirmed as accurate yet, so take it with a grain of salt. But it does line up with previous comments from Xbox’s Phil Spencer. The closer we get to the holiday season without COVID-19 regaining ground, the smoother the Xbox Series X’s launch is sure to go.
Source: Xboxygen (via XboxEra)
