Earlier today, local gaming website Kakuchopurei revealed that it has received Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles for review purposes. The site noted that consoles were sent to Malaysia by Microsoft.
So, it begs a question that has been asked not only by us but many local gamers for more than 10 years: is Microsoft finally launching Xbox consoles in Malaysia? Sadly, the answer is still no.
What's in the boXXXXXXXXX? pic.twitter.com/Jk2kbWz5FV
— Kakuchopurei (@Kakuchopurei) October 30, 2020
As the story goes, when we first reached out to Microsoft Malaysia to obtain further clarification, our initial conversation with the company’s representative was generally filled with confusion. It was as if the local division had completely been blindsided by the Xbox team.
Almost two hours after our initial communication, Microsoft Malaysia’s representative then got back to us and confirmed the bad news stating: Microsoft has no plans to launch the Xbox Series X and Series S in Malaysia. Not anytime soon, at least.
On why the Xbox team decided to send its next-generation consoles to a country that is outside of its official market list, Microsoft Malaysia’s representative was unable to provide a firm answer to us.
We believe that it has something to do with the fact that Kakuchopurei is helmed by some of the country’s most experienced game journalists including Kenn Leandre and Jonathan Leo who have spent years at IGN SEA and Gamespot Asia, respectively. However, without any official explanation from Microsoft Malaysia, it remains a guessing game.
Logically, if Microsoft wants to launch the Xbox in Malaysia, it would unlikely be launched in a quiet manner. Furthermore, now is the best chance for Microsoft to steal away attention from its fierce rival Sony since the Japanese company is still unable to provide any firm release date for PlayStation 5 in Malaysia.
Unfortunately, at this moment, the official launch of Xbox in Malaysia remains a pipedream. As per what it has been for the past 18 years…and counting.
