Moore Denies 360 Shortage Conspiracy

Xbox Executive Peter Moore told the Seattle Post-Inteligencer that buzz about the XBox 360 launch shortages being on done on purpose is hogwash.  Many gaming stores only expect to get around 10-40 of the consoles at launch despite the long list of preorders they may have.  Some believe Microsoft is shortchanging stores on purpose for publicity and to start a feeding frenzy among consumers.

From the article:

"I've seen all of the conspiracy theories. Somewhere in Roswell, New Mexico, we have a hangar where we're stockpiling it, creating false shortages. No," said Moore, a Microsoft corporate vice president. He called the theories "ridiculous" and said the company is "trying to get as many units to retail as we possibly can."

Initial shortages are common when video-game consoles are released, as manufacturing ramps up. In the past, however, the major console makers have lessened the effect by rolling out their machines worldwide over a period of many more months.

Purposeful or not, there are going to be a lot of sad campers outside of gaming stores on launch day.  Word on the street is that some stores are giving the consoles to people who have preordered the console along with the most 360 accessories – not on how long you have had your preorder.