Back in the summer, we heard vague reports that Microsoft may be slowing down its console selling business in certain wider markets - namely in select EMEA countries like Saudi Arabia. More recently, a report from that nation made similar claims - but Windows Central's Jez Corden has been squashing those rumours recently.
Following on from a Windows Central report last month where Microsoft confirmed to the outlet that it was still selling hardware in Saudi Arabia, the journalist has now shared images of well-stocked shelves selling Series X and S consoles in the region. Corden says stock levels "just fluctuate", but that this is "confirmation" of consoles still being sold and marketed by Microsoft over there.
This is good to see, especially in the wake of Xbox's new marketing campaign that tries to tell us that basically any gaming device out there is an 'Xbox' in some way. Even though The Verge's Tom Warren is hinting that this new slogan "will make more sense soon", for now at least, Series X and S consoles are still being marketed and sold in all Xbox supported regions.
As we spoke about in a reaction piece recently, Xbox is definitely moving in a multiplatform direction - but it's good to see the team still selling and supporting its Series X and S consoles in the here and now. As long as Xbox continues to include console gaming in its plans, we're happy!