Xbox One will launch 22 November in 13 regions for $499

Guess what? Xbox’s Major Nelson just announced the Xbox One launch date. Microsoft’s next-gen console will launch 22 November 2013 in 13 markets. The Major updated his blog with this:

Today we are announcing that Xbox One will be available on Friday November 22, 2013 in all 13 of our initial launch markets – Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, UK, and USA. Many more markets will follow in 2014.

Pre-Order Xbox One at the Microsoft Store or Amazon

Just as a reminder, Sony’s PS4 is set to launch 15 November, which gives the Xbox One a weeks respite from the fans. It may spell bad news for Microsoft though, as pre-orders for the PS4 have been “unprecedented” according to a report from Playstation Universe. This glut of PS4 ordering, plus a US$399 price and Sony’s promise that it will support 32 markets (South Africa not included) will equate to less sales of the Xbox One. But Microsoft’s not down and out, it’s barely started the fight.

For US$499, you’ll get the bundled Kinect 2, one controller and the new-fangled headset.  You can also choose one or all, if you’re filthy rich, of these launch titles. November is when the great war of consoles begins again.

• Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag (Ubisoft, Ubisoft)
• Battlefield 4 (DICE, Electronic Arts)
• Call of Duty: Ghosts (Infinity Ward, Activision)
• Crimson Dragon (Grounding/Land Ho!, Microsoft Studios)
• Dead Rising 3 (Capcom Vancouver, Microsoft)
• FIFA 14 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
• Fighter Within (AMA Ltd., Ubisoft)
• Forza Motorsport 5 (Turn 10 Studios, Microsoft Studios)
• Just Dance 2014 (Ubisoft Paris, Ubisoft)
• Killer Instinct (Double Helix, Microsoft Studios)
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (TT Games, Warner Bros. Interactive)
• Lococycle (Twisted Pixel, Microsoft Studios)
• Madden NFL 25 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
• NBA 2K14 (Visual Concepts, 2K Sports)
• NBA LIVE 14 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
• Need for Speed: Rivals (Ghost Games, Electronic Arts)
• Peggle 2 (Popcap, Electronic Arts)
• Powerstar Golf (Zoe Mode, Microsoft Studios)
• Ryse: Son of Rome (Crytek, Microsoft Studios)
• Skylanders: Swap Force (Vicarious Visions, Activision)
• Watch Dogs (Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft)
• Zoo Tycoon (Frontier Developments Ltd., Microsoft Studios)
• Zumba Fitness: World Party (Zoë Mode, Majesco)