Xbox One Late November Release

While many gamers put their finances in order in preparation for the launch of the PS4 on November 15th, a whole different set of gamers are still left waiting. We speak, of course, of those Xbox One fans that have been hoping that Microsoft might announce a release date sometime soon.

Although we don't have an official release date for the Xbox One, we do have perhaps our best clue as to when the console might hit store shelves, and it comes courtesy of a promotional contest. It's a contest that would gift an Xbox One console to a lucky fan every two minutes for several months.

As part of a forthcoming promotion with Pepsi, Microsoft has introduced a sweepstakes that will start on November 5th and run until January whereby gamers are eligible to win an Xbox One every two minutes. More intriguing about the sweepstakes — beyond the fact gamers can win a brand new next-gen console — is that the fine print mentions Microsoft plans to release the Xbox One in late November.

"Xbox One has targeted launch date of late November 2013. Therefore, the initial shipments may be slightly delayed; please allow 12-14 weeks for delivery."

This might not come as a total shock, but if true this little snafu could point towards a November 22nd release for the Xbox One. We say that because it puts the Xbox One on store shelves before Black Friday and within close proximity to the PS4.

Earlier rumors had suggested the Xbox One might pre-empt the PS4 with a November 8th release, but that doesn't seem to be the case. For example, the fine print on the Pepsi contest mentions the Xbox One will be in short supply at launch and that winners should expect to wait 12-14 weeks to receive their console. To me, that sounds like Microsoft would want to hold off until the last possible date before rolling the Xbox One out.

With that being said, this is just speculation with regards to the Xbox One release date. By this point Microsoft knows when the Xbox One will launch, we just don't know when they plan on telling the public.

When do you think the Xbox One will hit store shelves in North America? Do you think the console will sell out at launch?

The Xbox One will be available for $499 this November.