Microsoft has announced the Xbox Console Purchase Pilot, the first test of a program that might be your best chance to buy an Xbox Series X|S.
"Today we're introducing the Console Purchase Pilot, allowing US #XboxInsiders on Xbox One to register for a chance to reserve an Xbox Series X|S console," read a tweet from the Xbox Insider account. "Check the Xbox Insider Hub on Xbox One for details. Limited space is available and not all who register will be selected."
Getting your hands on a next-gen console has proven to be a challenge ever since launch. In some cases, things have gotten even worse; Sony, for example, recently cautioned customers that PS5 shortages will continue throughout 2022.
One of the ways Sony has tried to ease the pain is the "PlayStation Direct" queue. Essentially, a number of consoles are reserved for PlayStation customers and a lucky few will get the opportunity to actually buy one of them. Now, Microsoft is launching a similar program of its own.
How Does the Xbox Console Purchase Pilot Work?
The Xbox Console Purchase Pilot is a pretty straightforward program; all you need to do is sign up, wait, and hope you get lucky. You will, however, need an Xbox One console.
Here's how it works according to information on the Xbox Insider app: first, you'll need the Xbox Insider App on an Xbox One console; you won't be able to access the Xbox Console Purchase Pilot on any other platform. Then, you need to actually join the program from the Xbox Insider Hub.
An important note: this program is only open to people who have joined the Xbox Insider program before May 9, 2021, and are resistents of the United States aged 18 years or older. If you're thinking about signing up for Xbox Insider today, you're out of luck. The Terms and Conditions note that you're ineligible if you've already purchased an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, but one of our staff was able to sign up anyway despite this requirement.
Once you're all set, you may receive a notification stating that a particular console is available for you. If it is, you'll have a deadline to either purchase an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S depending on what you've picked; unfortunately, you won't be able to change your pick to the other console model, so make sure you're certain which one you'd like to buy!
Whatever you decide, Microsoft will then ask you some questions about how the process worked. This is definitely a "pilot" program — it's only being offered to a limited number of people and only on the Xbox One platform at that. Presumably, Microsoft will expand the program to Xbox Insiders on other platforms in due time.
What do you think of the Xbox Console Purchase Pilot? Have you had any difficulty getting your hands on a next-gen console? Let us know in the comments below!
