Wow. I thought news of the Xbox 360 actually outselling a Japanese console in Japan was crazy enough, but now there’s word from Microsoft Japan (viewable in full after the jump) that the sudden upsurge in sales caused by Tales of Vesperia has actually drained the region of all its dust-covered Xbawkes.
Currently, the Xbox 360 is sold out, and retailers are unable to restock their supply. This is a result of our own sales targets being exceeded by the actual customer sales. We deeply apologize for this inconvenience to our customers, retailers and business partners.
Clearly this sales spike surprised Microsoft Japan just as much as it did everyone else, as they didn’t have any extra consoles ready to send out to retailers besides the small stack in the downstairs janitorial closet. While they’ve promised to crank up production the next shipment of Pro units won’t be ready until September, although small shipments of Elites and Arcade models will be sent out regularly to try and satiate the crowds of Japanese gamers that just have to get their hands on the latest RPG.
Hopefully Microsoft Japan has learned their lesson and will have a few more units ready for when Infinite Undiscovery, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, and The Last Remnant release, as I’m sure there will be a similar situation.
To all customers
We truly thank you for all your patronage in the past.
Currently, the Xbox 360 is sold out, and retailers are unable to restock their supply. This is a result of our own sales targets being exceeded by the actual customer sales. We deeply apologize for this inconvenience to our customers, retailers and business partners.
Here at Microsoft, we are moving forward quickly with console production, and plan to ship the standard Xbox 360 model out this September. Furthermore, we will sequentially be shipping out the Elite and the Arcade models. We ask that you please patiently wait until the console is shipped.
We truly thank you for your patronage hereafter.
Microsoft
Home and Entertainment HQ
