Xbox Series X’s latest leak could point to a November 6 release date

Xbox Series X’s recently leaked controllers have pointed to a potential release date in the first week of November.

According to journalist Tom Warren, the next-gen game pads which made their way into public hands this week were marked with a sticker instructing retailers not to sell or display them “before November 6, 2020.”

In addition, another member of the public who has obtained a Series X/S controller claims that the peripheral’s 1-year warranty is listed to expire on November 5, 2021.

On Tuesday Microsoft confirmed that Xbox Series X would launch in the month of November, but did not provide a specific launch date. It’s possible that the controllers could be planned to release ahead of the actual console hardware.

Typically, console manufacturers have launched their hardware well in advance of the Black Friday sales, which take place on the fourth Friday of the month. Most recently, Xbox One X launched on November 7, 2017 and Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro launched on November 10, 2016.

On Tuesday Microsoft confirmed that key launch title Halo Infinite had been delayed into next year.

In a statement published on its website, developer 343 industries said that the decision to delay the game was motivated by “multiple factors” including the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on development.

Following its gameplay reveal last month, Halo Infinite’s visual fidelity faced widespread criticism from the media, fans and even big brands, who highlighted issues with both the game’s art direction and the perceived lack of advancement since the last Halo game.

In a new blog post, Microsoft was bullish about Xbox Series X’s launch line-up without Halo, claiming that the console would launch globally with over 100 optimized for Xbox Series X titles (which include backwards compatible games).

This includes more than 50 new games planned for this year across generations and optimized for Xbox Series X, it said.

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“We have plenty to keep you busy until Chief arrives,” it said. “There will be thousands of games to play, spanning four generations, when Xbox Series X launches globally this November and over 100 optimized for Xbox Series X titles, built to take full advantage of our most powerful console, are planned for this year.”

Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has suggested that Xbox will publish its latest next-gen console news this month.

Microsoft’s second, cheaper next-gen games console, Xbox Series S, was seemingly confirmed this week by leaked controller packaging.

Pricing details for Microsoft’s console still have not yet been announced. Sony has announced neither pricing nor a specific launch month for PlayStation 5.