Microsoft is preparing a huge Xbox One launch event on November 21, a day before Microsoft's next generation console hits the shelves. The launch event will include giveaways, livestreams and midnight opening at Microsoft retail stores. It is what you come to expect from Microsoft as the company goes head-to-head with Sony for hearts and minds of gamers. Expect Microsoft to dig into its deep pockets leading up to November 22 and throughout the rest of the year as it hopes to get the Xbox One off to a good start.
"Today we invite millions of Xbox fans around the world to join us for the launch of Xbox One, beginning on November 21 as we count down the final hours to the launch of Xbox One," said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of marketing and strategy at Microsoft.
"Xbox One will be the biggest launch in the history of Xbox and we can't wait to celebrate with our fans," Mehdi said.
The launch events taking place worldwide in various locations, will be streamed live via Spike TV, Xbox.com and on Xbox Live from 11pm ET (8pm PT).
According to Microsoft's press release, over 10,000 retail stores in Sydney, London, New York City and Los Angeles, among others, will open their doors around 12:01am on November 22. So if you're interested in picking up a copy of the Xbox One, we recommend camping out from this very moment to secure your spot as one of the early adopters.
The most interesting part of the launch party is that in New Zealand, the first Xbox that will go on sale is actually surrounded by sharks underwater. Yes, right. Sharks. And, not just any shark but tiger sharks, a ferocious predator of the ocean that eats almost anything. These predators of the sea are guarding the very first Xbox One that will go on sale in the world. When the clock hits 12:01, the console will be removed to be handed to the first person to purchase the Xbox One from a brick and mortar retail store.
It's a bit extreme having sharks guard the Xbox One. However, it is a worthwhile PR stunt that could attract viewers via Spike TV and other live streaming channels on the Internet.
The first 500 people in Los Angeles to purchase an Xbox One or Xbox One game will get to enjoy an exclusive concert show with deadmau5, while in New York, 1,000 lucky fans in line outside the Best Buy Theater in Times Square, who purchase an Xbox One or Xbox One game, will enjoy a concert by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and will get to meet special guests, including Stallion83, who is nearly achieving a 1 million Xbox Live Gamerscore, and developer partners from some of the most hotly anticipated Xbox One games.
