Playdate
News, coverage and analysis tracking Playdate across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Nintendo’s Latest Sale Is Made Possible By Tariff Refunds It’s Not Giving You
Nintendo of America announced a "Customer Appreciation Sale" offering 30% off games and access, attributing the promotion in part to tariff-related refunds. While Nintendo absorbed most costs, these refunds helped make the sale possible. Unlike Nintendo, the company behind the Playdate handheld, Panic, stated it would pass its own refunds onto customers.
Good news for some: Framework swims against the tide of the RAMpocalypse by 'retroactively reducing' its…
Framework is retroactively reducing prices on some of its LPCAMM2 memory modules due to securing a limited quantity at a lower cost. This move goes against the current trend of memory supply issues and price increases, with the company passing savings onto customers for both shipped and pending orders.
Even during a RAMpocalypse, Sony and Microsoft come across as less consumer-friendly than some PC brands with their refusal to give US tariff refunds back to consumers
Sony and Microsoft are facing lawsuits for allegedly not passing on US tariff refunds to consumers, despite some PC brands like Arctic and Panic doing so. Both console manufacturers have filed motions to dismiss the suits, arguing that consumers did not suffer a legally cognizable injury. This stance contrasts with smaller companies that have proactively refunded customers, leading to criticism of Sony and Microsoft's consumer-friendliness.
Both Microsoft and Sony say they're under no obligation to pass tariff refunds on to customers
Microsoft and Sony have stated they are not obligated to pass tariff refunds onto consumers, despite lawsuits arguing otherwise. Both companies claim customers paid the advertised price and are not owed any difference, even if tariffs were later deemed unconstitutional. While most major players are taking this stance, companies like Arctic and Panic are offering refunds or price rollbacks to customers.
Following Nintendo's example, Sony and Microsoft argue they have no obligation to pass tariff refunds onto customers
Sony and Microsoft are arguing in separate lawsuits that they are not legally obligated to pass tariff refunds onto consumers who purchased their consoles at inflated prices. Both companies, along with Nintendo, are facing legal challenges from customers seeking compensation after US-imposed tariffs were ruled illegal and companies became eligible for refunds. While the platform holders maintain consumers paid fair market price, some smaller companies like Panic and Arctic have opted to refund customers.
Playdate maker Panic is passing tariff refunds on to customers
Panic, the maker of the Playdate handheld, is passing on tariff refunds to its customers who purchased the device while tariffs were in effect. This contrasts with Nintendo, which has stated it does not owe rebates to consumers for price increases made in response to tariffs, and is seeking dismissal of a related class-action lawsuit.
Playdate maker Panic refunds tariff surcharges to customers
Playdate maker Panic is refunding customers who paid tariff surcharges, following a US Supreme Court ruling that President Trump's tariffs were unlawful. The company had added a 19% tariff line item to Playdate orders during a specific period. Separately, a report indicates the European games industry generated €30 billion in 2025, with mobile and tablets being the leading platforms.
'It's just not our money to keep': Handheld console maker Panic is refunding US tariff fees to its…
Handheld console maker Panic Inc. is refunding customers who were charged extra for US tariffs on their purchases of the Playdate. Company co-founder Cabel Sasser stated that the tariffs were a financial burden and that the money collected was not theirs to keep. The process of obtaining the refund from the government and processing it for customers was described as extensive but ultimately rewarding.
Panic is refunding tariff fees paid by Playdate owners
Panic, the developer of the Playdate handheld console, is refunding tariff fees previously paid by its owners. These fees were incurred under the Trump administration's original tariff regime.
Playdate maker Panic is refunding tariff fees to customers
Playdate manufacturer Panic is refunding customers who paid tariff fees during a specific period this year. The company received tariff refunds from the United States government and decided to pass the money back to its customers, citing that it was not their money to keep. This decision contrasts with other companies like Nintendo, which are reportedly keeping their tariff refunds.
Playdate is helping Big Ben ring on time
The Playdate handheld console is being utilized to help Big Ben, the iconic clock tower in London, maintain accurate time. This innovative use case highlights the versatility of the Playdate's hardware.
The makers of Playdate, the console-with-a-crank, will no longer accept games created with generative AI
Panic Inc, the creators of the Playdate handheld console, have announced that games utilizing generative AI for art, audio, music, text, or dialogue will no longer be accepted on the Playdate Catalog store. This policy change aims to address concerns surrounding the use of AI in game development, though custom-written AI functions within games are still permitted. Existing titles that used AI will remain but will be flagged.
Panic won't release Playdate titles that use some forms of generative AI
Panic will no longer allow developers to publish titles on its Playdate storefront, Catalog, that use generative AI tools for art, audio, music, text, or dialog. This policy change comes after a game that used AI for coding and writing was included in Playdate Season 2. While AI assistance in coding will still be permitted and flagged, the use of generative AI for creative assets is now prohibited.
PANIC CELEBRATES PLAYDATE’S ANNIVERSARY BY ANNOUNCING PLAYDATE SEASON THREE, COMING LATE 2026
Panic has announced Playdate Season Three, a collection of new games for their handheld console, scheduled for release in late 2026. The company also highlighted its 'Playdate for Education' program, which provides discounted hardware to educators, and the release of 'Office Chair Curling,' a cross-play title available on both Playdate and Steam.
Playdate Season 3 is coming later this year
Panic has announced that Playdate will receive a third season of curated games later this year, in time for the holidays. The company has not yet revealed the number of games or the cost for Season Three, but the previous seasons have offered a variety of titles. Additionally, the highly anticipated game Office Chair Curling is now available for purchase on Playdate and Steam, featuring online cross-play.
"Creativity is the key": how PC hardware's smaller manufacturers are navigating the RAM shortage disaster
Smaller PC hardware manufacturers are navigating the current RAM shortage by using less memory in their products or leveraging their unique market position. Companies like Commodore International with the C64 Ultimate and Panic with the Playdate are less affected due to lower RAM requirements, while Framework utilizes a modular approach and direct supplier contact to manage component sourcing. Despite these strategies, some firms like the Pi Foundation have had to increase prices, and the overall outlook suggests the shortage, driven by AI demand, could persist for several more years.
