Xbox One Release Date News, Games & Price: Target Ships 150 Xbox One Consoles Early, Users Banned From Xbox Live
Microsoft's new video game console, the Xbox One, will not be released until Nov. 22. Some have already received their Xbox Ones, however, courtesy of a Target "systems error."
"Due to a systems error, Target shipped a small number of video game consoles prior to the street date," a Target spokesperson said in a statement. "The vast majority of video game preorders will be delivered in line with street date and according to the guest's originally selected shipping method."
According to a "retail source" contacted by Kotaku, as many as 150 Xbox Ones were shipped to gamers prematurely. Kotaku says its source "has been on the money before."
The error reportedly occurred because Target failed to give regular versions of Xbox One a release date. As a result, Target automatically shipped out orders of the Xbox One upon receiving the shipment. Apparently, only the Day One edition of the Xbox One was properly assigned a release date; none of those editions were sent out early. The source said that most distribution centers noticed the error, but Target thinks that one east coast center did not.
At least one person tried to sell their rare Xbox One on eBay. Another lucky Xbox One owner uploaded a video of the unreleased console as well as a series of Tweets with pictures showing themself unboxing and playing games on the system. That user, however, has since been banned from Xbox Live. According to Larry Hryb, an Xbox Live community rep, the banishment is not permanent.
Any user who received an Xbox One early will not have access to Xbox Live until the system is officially launched.
"We're pleased to see the initial response to Xbox One has been so positive, but given we are still putting the finishing touches on our games, UI and online services, as well as confidential partner and media agreements, these console units will be restricted from connecting to Xbox Live until closer to our launch date," Microsoft said.
Microsoft will officially release Xbox One in North America on Nov. 22 for $499.99.