AI
Ongoing coverage on AI.
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RAM prices will stay high, as 2027 memory production slots are already sold out
RAM prices, particularly for DDR5, are expected to remain high due to massive demand from AI firms and sold-out production slots for 2027. Major manufacturers Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have filled their capacity, prioritizing High Bandwidth Memory for AI servers over consumer-grade RAM. This shortage impacts gamers building PCs or buying new devices, with no immediate signs of price drops.
Chinese memory maker CXMT mops up even more market share away from the likes of Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron, giving me…
Chinese memory maker CXMT is rapidly gaining market share, capturing 7% of the revenue market from established players like Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron. This growth is attributed to component validation for CXMT memory and a successful public offering. CXMT memory is reportedly being integrated into HP, Asus, and Acer notebooks, particularly in regions outside the US, as demand for memory, driven by AI, continues to outstrip supply.
Jobs roundup: August 2026 | Tim Coombs rejoins Amazon as head of brand marketing for Luna
This article rounds up various industry hires and transitions in August 2026. Notable appointments include Tim Coombs rejoining Amazon as head of brand marketing for Luna, Dan Lazarides becoming Chief Marketing Officer at Frontier Developments, and Tracey Thompson returning to Bethesda as VP of Communications. Several other individuals have also moved into new roles across companies like Blizzard Entertainment, Netflix Games, and Riot Games.
Pokemon Green's iconic starter scene has been remade in 3D with AI, and I really wish it hadn't: "Forever…
An AI-generated 3D remake of the iconic starter scene from Pokemon Green and Red has been created using Claude AI. The user describes the AI-generated Pokemon, including Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, as disturbing and nightmarish, expressing a wish that it had not been made. The article notes that only Nintendo can prevent such creations from becoming more widespread.
AMD Q2 2026 earnings results beat on revenue expectations, but miss on EPS whisper number
AMD announced its Q2 2026 earnings results, exceeding Wall Street's revenue expectations with $11.53 billion but falling slightly short of the Earnings Whisper EPS estimate, reporting $1.66 per share against a $1.69 target. Despite challenges with component price increases, the company demonstrated a solid quarterly performance and remains a significant competitor in the AI technology sector, supplying products for AI model development.
Endeavor Optical Networks exits stealth with $10.75M and a plan to beam data center traffic by laser
Endeavor Optical Networks has emerged from stealth with $10.75 million in seed funding from General Catalyst and Andreessen Horowitz. The startup plans to use laser-carrying spacecraft in orbit to connect data centers, aiming for a throughput of 2.4 terabits per second, significantly higher than current satellite communication capabilities. The company intends to launch a demonstration satellite by the end of 2027.
Astra Nova Brings Prediction Markets to TokenPlay AI With 50% RVV Fee Cut
Astra Nova has launched a prediction market on the TokenPlay AI platform, allowing users to create and trade on future event outcomes. Transactions settled in the RVV token receive a temporary 50% discount on fees, aiming to increase RVV's utility. The platform, operated by Astra Tech, utilizes AI for app and game development, with fees contributing to RVV buybacks and burns.
Gaming hardware costs have gone up 16% just in 2026, says US analyst, and Samsung says the AI bubble behind it all is…
US analyst Mat Piscatella reports that the average selling price of new gaming hardware in the US increased by 16% from January to June 2026, reaching $525. This trend is attributed to an AI data center-fueled chip and RAM shortage, which Samsung expects to worsen through 2027 and potentially until 2028. This shortage has already led to significant price hikes on consoles like the Xbox Series S and X, and is projected to affect the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, potentially raising its price to $500.
Memory chip maker Samsung says the component shortage will continue to get worse in 2027, while earning a pretty penny from it
Samsung, a major memory chip manufacturer, predicts that global component shortages will worsen through 2027 and potentially 2028, driven by high demand from AI companies. This situation is leading to increased prices for consumer electronics, including gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Samsung, along with SK Hynix and Micron, faces accusations of price fixing related to these shortages.
The Sandbox Rewrites LAND Perks Ahead of Q4 2026 AI Studio Rollout
The Sandbox is updating its LAND NFT utility and creator reward system, coinciding with the Q4 2026 rollout of its AI-driven Studio tools. These changes aim to give creators stronger exposure and better monetization terms for games published on their LAND, effectively turning LAND holders into publishers who can curate experiences and set commercial requirements.
Nexus Mods finally tightens the screws on AI, though it's still playing softball with the tide of slop
Nexus Mods has updated its policies regarding the use of generative AI tools, introducing new tags to differentiate between AI-generated content, AI-assisted content, and AI-generated promotional media. The platform will now enforce stricter tagging requirements, with failure to disclose AI usage potentially leading to moderation actions.
AMD is reportedly raising graphics card prices—it was just waiting for Nvidia to do it first
AMD is reportedly planning to increase the supply price of its GPU and VRAM bundles by at least 10%, following a similar move by Nvidia which is said to have raised prices by up to 30%. These increases are attributed to high demand for components driven by AI development and a global memory crisis. While these are partner prices, they are expected to be passed on to consumers starting next month.
First Impressions: My first three days living in the MMORPG simulation SEED
SEED is a new MMORPG life simulator where players create characters that continue to live and perform jobs even when offline. The game features a UI similar to The Sims and a schedule system for managing character routines. While the direct communication with characters can feel like interacting with a chatbot, the integrated AI helper PAM provides useful information from the game's wiki. The game also offers a mobile companion app for real-time interaction.
Report: Nvidia are raising the cost of graphic cards by up to 30%
Nvidia is reportedly increasing the prices of its graphics cards by 20% to 30% due to rising DRAM costs. This marks the third price hike this year, with previous increases affecting specific series like the GeForce RTX 5090. The price adjustments are expected to impact consumers once current stock is depleted, amidst high demand from AI tech giants.
FC 27 Gameplay Deep Dive Breakdown: AI Defending Nerfs, Manual Passing & New Set Pieces
EA Sports has revealed significant gameplay changes for EA Sports FC 27, focusing on a higher skill gap. AI defending has been nerfed, with less auto-tackling and increased jockey speed for manual defending. Passing mechanics are more manual, and set pieces, including two-step corners, have been reworked. PlayStyles have also been rebalanced to give more weight to player attributes.
xAI is challenging a new Minnesota law banning 'nudify' apps
xAI, founded by Elon Musk, has filed a lawsuit challenging a new Minnesota law that prohibits the creation of nonconsensual intimate imagery through AI. The company seeks to prevent the enforcement of this legislation.
Morning Tech Bits
NVIDIA reports that Halo: Campaign Evolved is launching today with DLSS support. Capcom has detailed how Path Tracing was implemented in their RE ENGINE for games like Pragmata and Resident Evil. The article also briefly touches on the impact of AI over the past year.
Two arrested for checking into esports hotels and stealing RAM, making off with over $2,000 in profit in just one month
Two individuals have been arrested in China for allegedly stealing RAM modules from esports hotel computers and selling them for profit. The pair reportedly made nearly $2,000 from 16 stolen RAM sticks in just over two weeks. The thefts were discovered when guests noticed malfunctioning PCs, leading to the hotels reporting the incidents to the police.
Retro handhelds by Retroid, Ayaneo, and more could be in for a world of price pain thanks to Qualcomm chipset hikes
Qualcomm chipset price hikes are expected to significantly increase the cost of retro handhelds from companies like Retroid and Ayaneo. This follows reports of double-digit price increases, impacting popular models and potentially new releases scheduled for 2026. The rising costs are attributed to increased demand for components driven by AI development.
Evening Reading - July 27, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news and internet curiosities. Topics include the Flood in Halo, Nintendo Switch Sports, Street Fighter 6, Battlefield maps, Ubisoft game ownership on PC, Marvel Snap, God of War Laufey, Marvel Tokon, and Xbox's ad-supported cloud streaming. The article also touches on puzzles, developer design choices, and the impact of AI.
