Xbox One launch delayed until 2014 in eight European markets
Some eager European fans of Microsoft's next-gen console will have to wait until next year to get their hands on it -- unless they live in the U.K., Spain, France, Germany, Ireland, Austria, or Italy.
The Xbox One has hit a snag in eight European markets. Residents of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland will have to wait until 2014 for the console's launch, Microsoft announced Wednesday.
The delay is due to issues with localizing the console's dashboard, adding additional voice and language support, and a current lack of substantial apps and "meaningful local content," says the Xbox Leadership Team's official announcement on the Xbox Wire blog.
The European countries that will get the console on time in November are the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, Ireland, Austria, and Italy. That brings the Xbox One's confirmed country launch count to a total of 13, with the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
While 13 countries spanning four continents is still nothing to scoff at, this delay will likely prove to be a sore point for many European customers, especially considering Microsoft promised a bit more for its 2013 launch. "At E3, we announced that Xbox One would be available in 21 markets around the world at launch. This was an aggressive goal and the team has been working very hard to deliver Xbox One to as many markets as possible," the statement acknowledged.
Because it failed to meet that 21-market goal, Microsoft will give away a free game -- yet to be disclosed -- for those customers who pre-ordered the Xbox One in the countries hit by delays. As for when in 2014 those markets will see the Xbox One, Microsoft stated "as soon as possible."