Gamers in Europe have complained about a shortage of Xbox controllers for some time and it appears that this isn’t an isolated case. Here is what a Microsoft spokesperson had to say in a statement to TheGamer: TLDR; don’t expect to get your hands on a new Xbox Wireless Controller anytime soon. The good news is that the supply issue doesn’t seem to be a global problem, but it remains worrying that it’s affecting one of the biggest markets in the world with some saying that Australian retailers are going through similar shortages as well. Also, you do have several other options if you want to get a third-party alternative to the Xbox Wireless Controller. Console hardware shortages are normal these days. The global chip shortage is affecting all industries and not just video games. In gaming, the lack of chip supply and crippled manufacturing capacity has meant that getting an Xbox Series S/X and a PS5 is much easier said than done. Despite being on the market for nearly two years, most people still can’t get their hands on a next-gen console. However, peripheral shortages are not as common. It is interesting that this is happening, and it’s hard to tell what exactly has led to the shortage. Did Microsoft fail to anticipate an increased demand? Or, better yet, did demand even increase in the first place, or was Microsoft being conservative with its initial stock numbers in Europe? We likely won’t know the answer to these questions, but we are hoping that the problem doesn’t persist. Speaking of controllers, did you know that Sony might be working on a PS5 Pro controller to compete with the Xbox Elite Series controllers? Grapevine talk suggests that Sony could reveal its brand-new controller as early as in next week alongside a new line of gaming peripherals.
