Component Shortage
Ongoing coverage on Component Shortage.
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PS6 won’t cost $1,000 after all - it’ll be more expensive than that
New estimates suggest the PlayStation 6 and Xbox's Project Helix will cost significantly more than $1,000 due to soaring memory and hard drive prices, with the RAM and NAND alone for the PS6 potentially costing over $680. This price increase is attributed to the demand from AI data centers, and neither Sony nor Microsoft intends to sell the new hardware at a loss. The article also touches on the possibility of delays due to market volatility and mentions rumors of a potential portable PlayStation device.
The PS6's memory and storage alone reportedly cost more than $680
The PlayStation 6's memory and storage components alone are reportedly estimated to cost over $680, significantly increasing the console's bill of materials. This, combined with ongoing component shortages and Sony's commitment to an all-digital future, suggests a potentially high launch price and a move away from physical discs.
The rumoured Steam Frame OLED would fix one of the Frame's minor weaknesses and do nothing for its major ones
Rumors suggest Valve is developing a Steam Frame OLED VR headset with upgraded MicroOLED lenses, potentially similar to Samsung's Galaxy VR. While this could improve display quality, the article argues it would exacerbate existing issues like component shortages and high pricing, making it an unneeded product for Valve and consumers.
US console market hasn't been "in a more precarious position since the early 80s," analyst says as PS5 and Xbox Series X price soar to all-time highs
An industry analyst states the US console market is in its most precarious position since the early 1980s due to soaring prices for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, driven by RAM shortages and tariffs. Sales for both Sony and Microsoft have significantly declined year-to-date, reaching all-time lows for Xbox hardware unit sales. While the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI might offer some relief, component availability and pricing remain significant concerns.
Used PS5 Pro console prices rise by $500 at US retailer and the UK could be next
GameStop has significantly increased the price of used PlayStation 5 Pro consoles in the US, selling them for over $1,399, which is more than a new unit. This price hike is attributed to scarcity, potentially fueled by anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6. The article criticizes this move as anti-consumer and expresses concern it could spread to the UK market.
Could 2027 see the beginning of an end to the PC pricing crisis?
Acer Chairman Jason Chen predicts that PC prices, particularly for lower and mid-tier gaming PCs, may begin to fall in the second half of 2027. This outlook is contingent on a decrease in AI hardware demand and an increase in memory production capacity, which has driven up consumer component prices throughout 2026. However, high-end components like Nvidia's RTX 5090 are expected to remain expensive due to their utility in AI server applications.
Best early Black Friday gaming laptop deals 2026, the biggest discounts ahead of the holiday sales
Despite price increases and component shortages in 2026, Black Friday is still expected to offer discounts on gaming laptops, though likely not reaching previous year's lows. The article advises on specifications like RAM and display resolution to mitigate higher starting prices and provides target price ranges for various GPU tiers.
Steam Deck 2 plans aren't affected by ongoing component crisis, Valve maintains, as Steam Frame arrives later and more expensive than expected
Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the ongoing component crisis is not affecting plans for a future Steam Deck 2, which will require a significant performance leap. However, the company's new Steam Frame VR headset is launching later and at a higher price than expected, facing criticism for not offering a dramatically different experience compared to cheaper alternatives like the Meta Quest 3.
Valve says making the Steam Deck 2 is "just a matter of looking at the current conditions", so I doubt it will…
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the development of a potential Steam Deck 2 is ongoing but dependent on current market conditions, particularly regarding component prices and availability. While not delayed, a release is not imminent, with Valve prioritizing a significant performance improvement at an accessible price point.
Valve targeted a lower price for the Steam Frame, then the memory crisis happened: 'I wish we could have shipped it…
Valve's new Steam Frame VR headset is launching at higher price points than initially intended due to a global memory crisis. Engineers Joy Lyons and Jeremy Selan confirmed Valve aimed for a lower price but component costs, particularly RAM, forced adjustments. The Steam Frame's pricing is significantly higher than competitors like the Meta Quest 3, which also faced price increases.
Valve’s Steam Frame VR headset opens for orders, with the cheapest model priced at a lenswatering £889 / $1,059
Valve has opened orders for its new Steam VR headset, with prices starting at £889 / $1,059 for the 256GB model. The headset is described as a versatile piece of VR kit, capable of playing PC VR titles like Half-Life: Alyx and even some flat Steam games. However, the high price point and ongoing component shortages have impacted its affordability and availability.
The Neo Geo AES+ now isn't arriving until September 2027 and, shock horror, it's thanks to "component…
The Neo Geo AES+ remake by SNK and PLAION has been delayed until September 2027 due to global component shortages and rising prices. This pushes the release back by nearly a year from its original November 2026 date. The company cited production fortification and securing necessary components as reasons for the delay, assuring pre-order customers that their reservations and pricing remain secure.
How does Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney reckon we can fight the industry's "Crash 2.0"? By building more factories
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney believes the gaming industry is facing its biggest crash since 1983, attributing it to market contraction and rising development costs. He specifically highlights component shortages, exacerbated by AI data center demand, as a critical threat that will likely persist for three years, necessitating the construction of new factories to meet global capacity needs.
Planet Coaster studio Frontier Developments announces new title based on Disney IP
Industry leaders like Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney and Playable Worlds CEO Raph Koster describe the current state of the video game industry as a "Crash 2.0," the worst since the 1980s. They cite escalating AAA development costs, component shortages exacerbated by AI infrastructure demand, and internal dysfunctions as key factors contributing to this downturn.
"This is the worst crash we've seen since the 1980s," says Tim Sweeney
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney and other industry experts describe the current state of the gaming industry as "Crash 2.0," the worst since the 1980s. They cite escalating AAA development costs, component shortages driven by AI investment, and a lack of platform resets as major contributing factors to this severe disruption.
Xbox CEO Says “A Family of Devices for Project Helix” is Planned
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that Microsoft is planning a "family of devices" for its next-generation Project Helix, indicating more than just a single console. Sharma emphasized performance and the integration of PC gaming on consoles, while also acknowledging the ongoing component shortages and the need for innovation in affordability and efficiency. The company is rethinking the console model to offer more flexibility and choice for consumers.
Warning: this is your last chance to buy a Switch 2 before the price hike
Nintendo is set to implement a price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 on September 1, 2026, due to ongoing memory shortages and market conditions. Consumers looking to purchase the console at the current price have until Monday, August 31, 2026, to do so. This price hike will also affect bundles, with the Mario Kart World bundle seeing a $50 increase in the US.
Amazon raises prices on hardware products like Kindles & Fire TV by as much as 60%
Amazon has increased prices on several hardware products, including Kindle, Fire TV, and Echo Dot, by up to 60%. The company cited ongoing memory component shortages as the primary reason for the price hikes. This move comes as Amazon invests heavily in artificial intelligence, which may be contributing to increased demand and costs for memory components.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 Costs $1,300, And The OLED Screen Better Be Worth It
Asus has opened preorders for the new ASUS ROG Ally X20 handheld gaming PC, priced at $1,300. This upgraded model features a 7.4-inch 1080p OLED 120Hz HDR display, an 80Wh battery, 1TB of storage, and 24GB of RAM. The price increase is attributed to global memory shortages affecting component costs.
PS6 Handheld Costing $600 is “Definitely Not Possible” Due to LPDDR Price Increases – Rumor
A rumor suggests that a PlayStation 6 handheld console is unlikely to be priced at $600 due to significant price increases in LPDDR memory. The leaker also indicated that the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro are likely sold at or near cost, with potential memory shortages continuing into 2028. Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki has previously stated the company does not plan to sell hardware at substantial losses.
