Microsoft tests Console Purchase Pilot for Xbox One owners looking for an Xbox Series X|S

Laurent Giret

Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X video game consoles.

Microsoft is launching a new Console Purchase Pilot for Xbox One owners in the US struggling to get their hands on a new Xbox Series X or Series S console. The program is now live in the Xbox Insider Hub, and but Microsoft will only allow select Xbox Insiders in the US to register.

Even though Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Series S launched six months ago, the next-gen consoles remain very hard to find. The problem has been aggravated by scalpers doing their best to purchase consoles to make a profit.

Sony has been facing a similar issue with its PlayStation 5 console, and the company has tried to tackle it by sending email invites to enthusiasts interested in pre-ordering a PS5 from the company’s PlayStation Direct website.

Last month, Microsoft’s CFO Amy Hood said during the company’s FY2021 Q3 earning calls that “significant demand for the Xbox Series X and S will continue to be constrained by supply.” The ongoing chip shortages are currently affecting many industries, and it could be months before next-gen consoles become widely available.