Console Supply Chains “Could Remain Rocky Through 2022,” Says Xbox CFO

The global semiconductor shortage has throttled supply and sales for most electronic hardware for over two years at this point, and by now, it’s become clear that the situation isn’t going to improve anytime soon. Xbox boss Phil Spencer said in September that supply shortages would probably end up being an issue for Xbox Series X/S heading into 2022, and now, Xbox CFO Tim Stuart has doubled down on that statement.

Speaking in an investor call hosted by financial services company Baird (via GamesIndustry), Stuart said Microsoft is expecting “that the supply chain environment could remain rocky through 2022 and the holiday season”. Renewed COVID-19 restriction in Chine have had quite an impact on supply chains, according to Stuart, though he did mention that the situation is better for the Xbox Series S than it is for its more powerful counterpart.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Sales for other consoles have also been affected by the supply shortages, with Nintendo and Sony both having lowered their sales forecasts for the ongoing fiscal year. Nintendo has said that there’s “no end in sight” to the global semiconductor shortage, while Intel has said that it could could until 2024.