Just when you thought the Xbox misinformation memes had finally ended after Microsoft squashed rumours that the next gen Xbox console had been cancelled, they continue.
Microsoft have once again been forced to issue a statement after rumours swirled that the Xbox Series consoles and other Xbox hardware were being removed from Target and Walmart. These rumours began on the Xbox subreddit, as user u/CodE1985 claimed that their local Target was removing the Xbox section. (The rumour has now been tagged as false by the subreddit mods, but this was obviously not the case initially.)
This rumour spread like wildfire across the internet, and several users also chimed in with claims of no Xbox consoles being stocked at their local Target and Walmart stores.
But Microsoft have officially issued a statement to Windows Central, stating that “Target and Walmart, among other retailers, remain committed partners for Xbox consoles, accessories, and games.”
So the Xbox Series and the next gen hardware are safe, for now. But once again this demonstrates the current mood towards Microsoft, and it’s not a positive one. Again, the fact that the previous rumours of a next gen cancellation were plausible really demonstrates a lack of trust from gamers. It won’t be easy for Microsoft to win that trust back, but unfortunately for them this is something they need to do – unless they want the next generation to be a one man Sony show once again. (I know the Switch/Switch 2 are very successful, but safe to say they aren’t targeting the same market or even specs/performance range as the Xbox and Playstation.)
