Xbox One will launch on anniversary of Xbox 360 release date

The Xbox One will arrive on shelves a week behind its chief competitor, the PlayStation 4.

In a press release, Microsoft says the Xbox One – the highly-awaited eighth generation console – would launch on Nov. 22, in plenty of time for the annual holiday shopping blitz, but exactly seven days after the debut of the PlayStation 4. 

"Nov. 22 is a special day in Xbox history – on this day, we first launched Xbox 360 in 2005," Microsoft's Yusuf Mehdi said in a statement. "Our next chapter begins in 79 days, when Xbox One becomes available."

Microsoft says the Nov. 22 date will apply to 13 markets (deep breath): Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, UK, and USA. But others are expected to follow by early next year. 

So will the timing make a difference to the success of the Xbox One? No, probably not. We imagine that consumers already set on purchasing an Xbox One won't be particularly fussed about waiting an extra week for the console of their choice, even if it does mean resisting the urge to pick up a PS4 in the meantime. (Moreover, it's worth noting that Sony is predicting a sell-out launch for the PS4.) 

But you know what could make a difference for a lot of consumers? The price. The base-model PlayStation 4 will go for $399.99, a hundred bucks cheaper than the $499.99 Xbox One. And a hundred bucks is no small chunk of change, especially when you consider that gamers will need to pick up at least or two new $59.99 titles for their new machine. 

Willing to argue that the price difference won't matter? Drop us a line in the comments section. We'd like to hear from you.