Microsoft had to use Xbox dev kits to run a ‘Halo Infinite’ tournament

Even Microsoft is feeling the sting of ongoing Xbox shortages. Kotaku notes Microsoft resorted to utilizing Xbox Collection X dev kits (not pictured) to run the primary huge Halo Infinite match, the Halo Championship Collection’ Raleigh Main, this weekend. Merely put, the corporate could not discover sufficient retail consoles to make use of — the “international provide chain scarcity is actual,” 343 Industries’ eSports lead Tahir Hasandjekic stated.

The dev kits are “functionally similar” to off-the-shelf consoles and can function in that mode, Hasandjekic added. They do not look fairly the identical, however rivals should not discover any variations from the techniques they’ve at dwelling.

The irony is thick, however this additionally underscores the severity of console shortages over a 12 months after the Xbox Collection X made its debut. It is nonetheless tough to purchase the machine between scalpers and industry-wide chip shortages, and Microsoft does not essentially have privileged entry to its personal {hardware}. With that stated, the corporate in all probability does not need to make a behavior of utilizing developer models. We can’t be stunned if Microsoft ensures future in-person HCS matchups depend on store-bought Xbox techniques, if only for the sake of burnishing its public picture.