Game and Smyths websites have crashed as the release of Xbox Series X pre-orders creates more chaos for consumers.
Two of the UK’s largest gaming retailers have both seen their websites crash this morning due to unprecedented spikes in demand for the next generation of Xbox consoles.
At the time of writing Game’s UK website says that it is “currently unavailable” after Xbox customers “came out in force with an exceptional response to pre-orders”, which went live at 8am this morning.
Everyone watching GAME's site, waiting for #Xbox Series X pre-orders to go back LIVE! like: pic.twitter.com/jC00PVOmlH
— Console Deals (@consoledeals) September 22, 2020
A spokesperson told Sky News: “We’re dealing with large volumes of customers visiting our website and are working hard to serve their needs.”
Smyths website is also down and but has informed customers that they can still place Xbox pre-orders “in any of our stores”.
READ MORE: PS5 pre-order chaos crashes GameStop, Best Buy, Target and Walmart websites
It added that pre-orders for Xbox All Access, which allows customers to pay for their new console in instalments, is “unavailable while our website remains down”.
Smyths and Game are the only UK retailers authorised by Microsoft to offer Xbox All Access.
Here in the UK:
Microsoft store "down"
Game store "down"
Currys PC World… pic.twitter.com/GLmPIe9VJP— mrpocketace's (@DeclanFoster58) September 22, 2020
Meanwhile customers across the UK are struggling to find retailers with any pre-order stock remaining, including on Microsoft’s own website.
It comes just days after shoppers experiences similar chaos trying to pre-order the PlayStation 5, seeing numerous major websites crash and many pre-order being cancelled.
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