The platform holder issued a statement over the weekend after a 'systems error' within US retailer Target (as reported on Engadget) saw an unconfirmed number of Xbox One units mistakenly ship to pre-order customers.
"Due to a retail partner's system issue, a very small number of Xbox One consoles were shipped to consumers before the 11/22 street date," said Microsoft's Larry Hryb, aka Major Nelson.
"We're pleased to see the initial response to Xbox One has been so positive, but given we are still putting the finishing touches on our games, UI and online services, as well as confidential partner and media agreements, these consoles units will be restricted from connecting to Xbox Live until closer to our launch date," he went on to confirm.
Crucially, Microsoft has previously said that a day one system firmware update will be required to use the console. Although not confirmed, the inability to connect to Xbox Live could prevent the update and render prematurely shipped Xbox One units unusable for the time being.
Microsoft has worked swiftly to remove and block online posts showing and detailing aspects of the Xbox One's user interface and online store. Posts from one user, going by the online alias of Moonlight Swami, have been removed from YouTube, and an Ebay auction for another Xbox One was taken down before completion.
Moonlight Swami confirmed that the aforementioned day-one system update, which they managed to instal before their Xbox One was banned from Live, weighs in at around 500MB.
Microsoft has said the console ban will not be permanent, and that the user will get full use of the Xbox One "closer to launch".
Microsoft is preparing for an Xbox One release date of November 22 in 13 markets. The Xbox One price has been set at £430 / €500 / $500.
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Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/437421/xbox-one-units-shipped-early-are-blocked-from-xbox-live/
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