Microsoft's new Xbox mini refrigerator allows gamers to keep their drinks and snacks cool. The product sold out within a few minutes after starting pre-orders in the United States, but will return in December. dpa/Reuters hide caption
Microsoft's new Xbox mini refrigerator allows gamers to keep their drinks and snacks cool. The product sold out within a few minutes after starting pre-orders in the United States, but will return in December.
It turns out that Xbox fans need to calm down-literally.
After months of memes and anticipation, Microsoft released its "Xbox Series X Fridge" online pre-order on Tuesday. Mini refrigerators sold out almost immediately. Some gaming websites reported that they were sold out within 15 minutes, while others took this time closer to 30 seconds.
So what is the hype? Like many cultural moments, it all started on Twitter.
In April of this year, when Xbox played against Skittles in the "Battle of Brands" tournament on Twitter, many in the gaming industry had noticed that the Xbox Series X console was somewhat similar to a refrigerator.
The scale of the refrigerator. #PowerYourDreams pic.twitter.com/2n4OEUKXUz
Aaron Greenberg, general manager of Xbox game marketing, promised that if Xbox wins, the company will make these mini-fridge memes a reality.
Xbox won by a narrow margin, and the company delivered. Greenberg announced last week that the Xbox Series X Replica "mini refrigerator" will be available in time for holiday shoppers.
For $100, fans can get a refrigerator, which can hold up to 12 beverage cans and has two indoor shelves for snacks. The front of the matt black refrigerator also includes a USB port to charge the device, and the refrigerator is equipped with a DC power adapter to enable it to work anytime, anywhere.
"The mini refrigerator created in collaboration with Ukonic gave'Xbox and Chill' a whole new meaning," the announcement read. "With LEDs and surface features similar to Xbox Series X, your friends will be amazed while quenching their thirst!"
As expected, these refrigerators, which were only available at Target in the United States, were immediately sold out. According to Game Spot reports, these products “sell out quickly, were bombarded by reviews, and appeared on auction sites at a huge premium.”
Approximately three-quarters of the reviewers on the Target website gave the refrigerator one star (out of five stars), and Game Spot said that this was probably because people were frustrated that they could not order in time.
Members of the club can turn to eBay, where refrigerators are already on the market, with prices ranging from US$300 to US$400.
Or they can wait until December, when Xbox says there will be more products on sale.
Drinks = cold memes = power will be launched in December this year: https://t.co/6UFs36LOUM | #XboxandChill pic.twitter.com/QTQomiawgh
This story originally appeared on the morning version of the live blog.