Microsoft today announced a “road trip” to let anyone unable to make it to E3 or PAX get their hands on Xbox One and select games. The Xbox One Tour: Road to Launch, hosted by Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb, will be traveling to specific Microsoft Stores for the next month.
Having the Xbox One playable at Microsoft Stores sounds great, until you realize that the road trip is actually quite limited. Technically the Xbox One hands-on event will travel from New England to the Southwest and up to Canada. The only problem is that those hands-on events will only make the Xbox One playable in five markets.
Granted, Microsoft Stores aren’t as prevalent as Apple Stores, but seeing the five-store lineup is a bit disappointing. Perhaps more stops on the Xbox One Tour will be announced later. Each of the events is completely free and open to the public. They do not require a special pass or ticket. Judging by past Xbox-sponsored free events, you’ll be wise to get there early if you want to get hands-on with the Xbox One.
Major Nelson’s road trip starts Sept. 19 in Massachusetts. At 7pm that night, Forza Motorsport 5 and Killer Instinct will be playable during the grand opening ceremonies for the Microsoft Retail Store in the Burlington Mall. The following day, on Sept. 20, Major Nelson will be at the Microsoft Retail Store in Boston.
The remaining three events on Major Nelson’s calendar are Oct. 22-23 at the Mall at Millennia in Orlando, Florida; Oct. 26-27 in West Edmonton, Edmonton, Canada; and Dec. 6 at Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona. That final event takes place after the Nov. 22 Xbox One release date, obviously.
For full details on where you can find the Xbox One playable at an official Microsoft event, head over to Major Nelson’s original announcement.
