Even Microsoft is feeling the sting of ongoing Xbox shortages. Kotaku notes Microsoft resorted to utilizing Xbox Series X dev kits (not pictured) to run the primary large Halo Infinite match, the Halo Championship Series’ Raleigh Major, this weekend. Simply put, the corporate could not discover sufficient retail consoles to make use of — the “global supply chain shortage is real,” 343 Industries’ eSports lead Tahir Hasandjekic mentioned.

The dev kits are “functionally identical” to off-the-shelf consoles and can function in that mode, Hasandjekic added. They do not look fairly the identical, however opponents should not discover any variations from the methods they’ve at dwelling.

The irony is thick, however this additionally underscores the severity of console shortages over a 12 months after the Xbox Series X made its debut. It’s nonetheless tough to purchase the machine between scalpers and industry-wide chip shortages, and Microsoft does not essentially have privileged entry to its personal {hardware}. With that mentioned, the corporate most likely does not need to make a behavior of utilizing developer items. We will not be shocked if Microsoft ensures future in-person HCS matchups depend on store-bought Xbox methods, if only for the sake of burnishing its public picture.