Has anyone wondered why Microsoft would not protect it’s products from piracy?

LOL. The original question that started this whole chain is the issue. Not the shortage.

However, the internet lists at least 15 silicon wafer manufacturers, all with confined manufacturing practices. I did a search and found only two manufacturers assembled the XBox Series X consoles. Each of those manufacturers, in turn, relies on these components being available in order to assemble a console. Outside the silicon wafer manufacturing process and eventual chip etching processes the assembly of components need only a controlled environment and exceptional practices. But, no wafers, no chips and a shortage.

The shortage of chips seems to be an across the board problem affecting even the automotive industry. In the meantime supplies of existing components are sky rocketing in price and driving purchases out of the reach of the average consumer. It’s the fair marketing of available consoles, and other products I’m concerned about. The shortage will right itself in due time unless it’s an artificially engineered shortage and that would be way our of our pay grades to address.

There are over 500 semiconductor producing locations through out the world. Not all of them produce chips for the XBox Series X. I understand that there are two XBox Series X manufacturers depending on those chips for production. And I understand ‘no chips’ means ‘no production’.

That wasn’t the initial reason for my original post. I was hoping to glean ideas as to how powerful companies that lend their names to products like Microsoft’s XBox Series X could influence fair trade through their product outlets. In this respect Microsoft sets a price in their store of $499 and scalpers and robo buyers gobble them up before others have a chance to buy just one. Then they double the price and expect people to buy them. There is an abundance of disdain in the community for this practice. I was just looking for ideas how the average man on the street who is an ardent gamer can obtain a console at the fair price advertised.

Some stores here in the US limit purchase to one console. Others don’t. No one maintains sign-up lists for future drops nor allows reservations for future consideration. I’ve signed up for every notification from every retailer who advertises such a privilege and have yet to receive a notification of availability.

I have to say though that I’ve not been living under a rock. I’m a retired US Air Force communicator, a retired Boeing Engineer with extensive computer and communications experience, and I keep up. Even at 80.

I suppose. You make fair points. We all have opinions. We don’t all have a chance to buy an XBox Series X though do we? And hey, might as well deprive others while making a killing. No one particularly cares so might as well continue doing it. Microsoft could at least offer an explanation as to why they can’t supply a product, on their own website, with their name all over it, just to maintain integrity. Yes, there is a chip shortage. But there’s more than one chip maker and definitely more than one chip. The best explanation for the chip shortage I’ve read is that Covid slowed down the work force. That’s believable. I’ve not read why it’s messed with XBox production though it could have. If it had at least Microsoft would have been able to announce it and soothe some irritated customers. If I’m the only irritated person I apologize.

I don't thennyou are understanding the issue

What does 100 chip companies have to do with supply issues ?

Silicone wafers are only manufacturered by two companies not 100 companies you need clean rooms to make them

It's not.the chips that are the issue

But the silicone wafers that make everything from circuit boards and buses you can't.make circuit boards in a garage it has to be absolute clean with zero dust and static electricity

One spark can kill 100 boards

That chips need to sit on

And only amd makes rdna 2 chips sets

anyone can purchase a product then sell that product on at a mark up, it is immoral what scalpers do but is 100% legal and microsoft cannot do jack about it as they are legal sales. it is not piracy of any kind, they are also no hackers, anyone can make or use a simple script bot to purchase something when it becomes available.

you sound sour, don't forget there is a massive chip shortage which is actually causing more issues than scalpers would ever do, and it is affecting everything from cars, white goods, cpu's, gpu's consoles and phones and many many other things too.