Analyst predicts Xbox One and PS4 shortages

Both the Xbox One and PS4 are likely to be in short supply upon their release later this year, one US analyst has predicted.

Colin Sebastian told GameSpot that the complexity” of coordinating such launches means that "it is more likely than not that there will be initial shortages".

Added Sebastian: "This also partly explains why the manufacturers have been somewhat judicious in allocating pre-sale units to retailers, so that there won’t be a lot of unhappy customers from day one."

The analyst also believes both machines will ideally want to launch at least a couple of weeks in advance” of the Thanksgiving weekend on November 28th, although he doesn’t predict which company will be the first to market.

"In terms of who goes first, it would certainly be ideal to launch first and gain all of the initial attention and momentum,” he added. Console launches are really the only equivalent of a ‘red carpet’ event for the industry."