Component Shortage
Ongoing coverage on Component Shortage.
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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.
That limited edition green see-through Xbox Series X reportedly costs as much as a PS5 Pro, and releases on Black Friday
A limited edition green translucent Xbox Series X, celebrating Xbox's 25th anniversary, is reportedly set to release on Black Friday for an estimated $899.99, matching the rumored price of the PlayStation 5 Pro. This special edition console features a see-through case and a matching controller. The article also touches upon recent widespread restructuring within the Xbox division, impacting 1600 employees, and ongoing component shortages affecting hardware pricing.
RAM shortage shoves PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo's US sales "to a July low not seen since 2020" as price…
US console hardware sales in July 2026 hit a low not seen since 2020, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. This downturn is attributed to the impact of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch last year, ongoing component shortages, particularly RAM, driving up prices, and higher hardware costs affecting PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series sales. Despite a 39% drop in hardware sales and a 16% increase in average system price, anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 and the holiday season may boost sales later.
Gaming Hardware Spending in US for July 2026 Was The Lowest Since 2020, Says Analyst
US gaming hardware spending in July 2026 reached its lowest point since 2020, falling 29% year-on-year to $282 million, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. This downturn affected all platforms, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch sales declining, exacerbated by a 16% increase in average hardware prices due to component shortages. Despite overall declines, the Nintendo Switch 2 led in unit sales, while Resident Evil Requiem topped software charts.
Memory crisis is driving uncertainty over PlayStation 6's launch date
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki stated that the launch date for the PlayStation 6 remains undecided due to the ongoing global memory and chip shortage, exacerbated by AI data center investments. Analysts had anticipated a 2025 release, but this is now uncertain. Totoki emphasized survival as a CEO's primary task amidst these challenges, while also expressing optimism about AI's potential to enhance creativity.
Sony CEO confirms the PS6 launch date is still undecided due to the ongoing component shortage — 'Considering that importance, we need to take some action. Otherwise, we cannot survive in this landscape'
Sony CEO Hiroko Totoki confirmed that the PlayStation 6 launch date is still undecided due to ongoing global component shortages and trade wars. While analysts have predicted a 2027 or 2028 release, Totoki stated that the company is closely monitoring the situation and has not yet fixed a launch timing or pricing for the next-generation console.
Why Are Video Game Consoles So Expensive These Days (And Games Historically Cheap)?
Video game consoles and games are becoming increasingly expensive due to a confluence of factors including tariffs, AI-driven demand for components, and a structural shift in the console business model. Experts predict hardware costs will remain high for several more years, potentially impacting future console generations like the PlayStation 6 and Project Helix.
Sony still hasn't chosen a PlayStation 6 release date, says CEO, as RAM crisis continues
Sony CEO Hiroko Totoki stated that the company has not yet set an internal release date for the PlayStation 6, citing ongoing component shortages impacting hardware manufacturing. Analysts had speculated a 2027 launch, but Totoki indicated that memory prices and supply chain issues require careful consideration for future console planning. Sony remains committed to an all-digital future, potentially phasing out disc support by 2028.
