What you need to know
- Recently, a prominent games journalist in Saudi Arabia claimed that Xbox is planning to exit the country, with potential implications for the wider Middle East region.
- Microsoft has been battling rumors about its commitment to the Xbox console platform since it began announcing previous console exclusives like Indiana Jones and Sea of Thieves for PlayStation.
- In a statement provided to Windows Central, Ami Silverman, who leads Xbox’s consumer said that Xbox devices remain available in all currently supported regions, specifically noting Saudi Arabia.
As a seasoned traveler and observer of the gaming industry, I have seen my fair share of rumors and speculations come and go. The latest buzz surrounding Xbox’s potential exit from Saudi Arabia has certainly piqued my interest, especially given my recent interactions with concerned fans from the region.
Regardless of how brightly the sun glows, whispers about Xbox’s supposed impending doom persist. However, it appears that such reports of its demise might just be a tad overblown.
Upon returning from a recent event (details coming up), I started getting messages on social media from worried Xbox fans primarily in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia. It’s not the first time I’ve seen an influx of such concerns about Xbox’s position in this region, and as you might recall from my previous articles, Xbox hasn’t always excelled at catering to its worldwide audience beyond the U.S., but things are improving.
Despite the fact that Microsoft has not yet made any official announcements, there have been speculations among users from regions with traditionally smaller Xbox markets that Microsoft might be considering pulling out of those areas entirely. In early July, Tom Warren from The Verge proposed that Microsoft was looking to redirect its focus away from struggling regions and toward more profitable markets such as the U.S. and UK. Today, there is additional news suggesting that Xbox may be preparing to leave a significant market altogether.
Mohammed Albisimi, a game journalist and CEO of True Gaming based in Saudi Arabia, recently tweeted (X) that Xbox might be preparing to stop distributing its console hardware in Saudi Arabia, sparking questions about Xbox’s dedication to the wider region. Given the significance of Saudi Arabia as a thriving gaming market in the Middle East, such a move by Xbox could potentially signal a broader withdrawal from the platform.
At first, when these speculations arose, our sources asserted that Xbox had no intention of leaving Saudi Arabia or any other region where they currently operate. Whenever feasible, it is best to seek clarification directly from the source, in this case Microsoft. So, during my travels, I requested Microsoft to address the rumors, as they have become quite prominent over the past few weeks.
Finally, Ami Silverman, Xbox Chief Consumer Sales Officer responded with the following statement.
As an enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Xbox devices are accessible in numerous countries that support Xbox hardware, including Saudi Arabia. However, the specific console availability might differ from one country to another. What remains consistent is the ability to enjoy Xbox games on various platforms such as consoles, personal computers, smartphones, tablets, and TVs where Xbox Cloud Gaming is supported.
Of course, services like Xbox Cloud Gaming depend on which data centers are available in your region. Similarly, you might notice that the availability of Xbox Series X|S or any other hardware product’s stock changes over time due to factors such as manufacturing new units and adjusting to the current supply-demand balance.
For the moment, it appears that Microsoft has no intention of withdrawing from any of its current Middle Eastern territories, such as Saudi Arabia.
I would expect that the next Xbox console range will continue to have a broad global launch
While it’s accurate that the Xbox Series X|S line hasn’t reached the sales heights of rivals such as the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 5, success isn’t solely about being the first. Interestingly, Microsoft keeps highlighting that they have a larger number of console users on Xbox than ever before. It’s worth noting that gamers using older systems like the Xbox One S and Xbox One X have been particularly loyal, perhaps because popular service games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and others are still being actively updated on these older platforms.
Even though Xbox and Microsoft are known for their innovation in the hardware sector, they’ve also developed a reputation for inconsistency. For instance, we published a report this week about the Surface Duo 2, which is no longer supported with Android security updates at a price point of $1500, effectively rendering it potentially risky to use. Given Microsoft’s occasional wavering in commitment, you wouldn’t be remiss for staying vigilant concerning Xbox and similar hardware matters.
Based on Ami Silverman’s clear assertion and reliable denials from my own sources, I can confidently dismiss, at least for the time being, the speculation that Xbox is considering leaving Saudi Arabia or any current market region.
Regardless of fluctuations in Xbox Series X|S availability, I am confidently predicting that the upcoming Xbox console (possibly accompanied by a hidden portable Xbox model) will be released across all existing Xbox markets, such as Saudi Arabia.
Read More
- LINK PREDICTION. LINK cryptocurrency
- PUPS PREDICTION. PUPS cryptocurrency
- JASMY PREDICTION. JASMY cryptocurrency
- SQR PREDICTION. SQR cryptocurrency
- EUR BRL PREDICTION
- DOP PREDICTION. DOP cryptocurrency
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- Top gainers and losers
- XRP PREDICTION. XRP cryptocurrency
- ELK PREDICTION. ELK cryptocurrency
2024-10-11 00:39