Behind the Scenes of the Xbox 360 Release Dates
If you are a serious gamer, then you know that the next great console or game is always somewhere on the horizon. Even while you are enjoying the newest Halo release or practicing your riffs on your Rock Band game, your eye is focused ever forward on the latest and greatest that has yet to come onto the market. Xbox 360 release dates are big news for the gaming industry, and watched carefully by gamers around the globe. Of course, those same dates are also the reason for shortages in both supplies and games at times, as the demand increases faster than the supply can keep up. Let's take a look at Xbox 360 release dates of the past to find out exactly why these shortages occur.
Xbox 360 is Introduced to the World
As an effort to try to beat other large gaming companies to the punch, Microsoft announced Xbox 360 release date worldwide beginning in November of 2005. At this time, plans were to make the new Xbox 360 game console available in the United States and Canada, with availability to the rest of the world coming within just a few short months. By March of 2006, the final Xbox 360 release date would take place in the countries of Australia and New Zealand, completing the worldwide distribution of this console. This was an ambitious venture for any company to try to accomplish, and there were fears of shortages during that time as supply was unable to keep up with the high demand.
Playing the Waiting Game
Another way that Microsoft and the rest of the gaming industry can profit from Xbox 360 release dates is to create series of games that keep loyal gamers hungry for more. This has been particularly seen with the Halo series, where avid Halo fans were waiting in eager anticipation for the release of the third game in the trilogy late last year. Grand Theft Auto IV is another series that the public is anticipating, with the release coming within a matter of weeks. Other gamers will look forward to the latest Xbox 360 release dates for sporting and racing games that they have learned to love.
One way that gamers will try to beat the supply and demand issue is to pre-order or place a hold on the games that have an imminent Xbox 360 release date. Many gaming retailers will offer this service to help their loyal customers ensure that they get the first crack at the newest games on the market. If you are an avid gamer who keeps a close eye on Xbox 360 release dates, talk to your local retailer about reserving games ahead of their release.