Component Shortage
Ongoing coverage on Component Shortage.
Latest coverage
Sony Ending PlayStation Disc Production “Was Always Going to Happen”, Says Analyst
Games industry analyst Piers Harding-Rolls believes Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production was inevitable due to the increasing digitalization of content and the desire to retain more revenue within their ecosystem. He also noted that ongoing component shortages could force future console prices higher, potentially limiting audience size. The January 2028 deadline is seen as a generational timing marker for the PlayStation 6 launch.
Games Inbox: Why are Call Of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 so popular?
This article discusses the surprising resurgence in popularity of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops II, attributing it to nostalgia despite them being straight ports. It also touches on EA's developer layoffs, Amazon Luna's performance, and the ongoing debate about game map size versus content.
RAM, SSDs to Face “Significantly Reduced” Supply Throughout 2027 – Rumor
A rumor suggests that RAM and SSD supply will be significantly reduced through 2027, with major manufacturers Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron reportedly selling out their fabrication capacity. This scarcity is expected to prioritize AI companies and potentially lead to price increases for consumer products and next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5 and future Xbox models. While Sony has secured enough RAM for PlayStation 5 production until fiscal year 2027, future price hikes are possible.
Xbox hardware now costs a lot more in the UK and Europe
Xbox has confirmed significant price increases for its Series S and Series X consoles in the UK and Europe, effective August 1, 2026. Prices have risen by up to 50 percent, with specific costs varying by storage option and region. These hikes are attributed to ongoing component shortages exacerbated by increased investment in AI data centers.
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.
'Nobody was buying them so it doesn't really matter' — Xbox console price hike hits the UK
Microsoft has implemented significant price increases for its Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles in the UK, with the Xbox Series S now costing £429.99 and the Xbox Series X £669.99. These hikes follow similar increases by Sony for the PlayStation 5 and are attributed to rising component costs, particularly RAM, and global economic pressures. The price changes have been met with strong negative reactions from consumers and have led to discussions about the declining sales of Xbox consoles.
Steam Week in Review: Once positioned as mainstream-friendly PC gaming solutions, can Valve's hardware survive the…
Valve's Steam Deck and Steam Machine hardware are facing challenges due to rising component costs, exacerbated by AI data center demand, leading to significant price increases. Despite these issues and a muted reception for the Steam Machine, the Steam Deck continues to appear on Steam's top sellers list, indicating ongoing consumer interest.
Switch 2 Price Jumps to $499 on September 1: Buy Now or Wait?
Nintendo has announced that the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 will increase from $449.99 to $499.99 in the US on September 1. This price hike is attributed to rising memory chip costs, tariffs, and exchange rates. Additionally, the "Choose Your Game" bundle will be discontinued on the same date, meaning the $499.99 price will only include the console itself.
As the memory crisis worsens, PlayStation promises it has secured enough RAM to meet its PS5 sales (until early 2027, at least)
Sony has secured enough memory components to meet projected PlayStation 5 sales through March 2027, ensuring hardware profitability remains stable. Despite ongoing component shortages impacting other manufacturers like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Nintendo, Sony's supply chain assurance aims to fulfill demand for the console, especially with anticipated major game releases in late 2026. The company also noted investments in its next-generation platform, suggesting future consoles may be more expensive and launch later.
Xbox still not making a profit on console sales despite price rise says report
A report indicates that Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S consoles continue to be sold at a significant loss, even after a recent price increase. Component shortages, particularly for RAM, have driven up costs, with Microsoft reportedly losing around $150 per unit sold. This contrasts with Sony's PlayStation 5, which has been profitable since 2021, and Nintendo's Switch, which traditionally sells hardware at a profit, though it also faces increased costs.
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.
RTX 5080 gaming laptop deals have finally started returning to their previous sale prices, and my top rig is leading the…
Deals on gaming laptops featuring the RTX 5080 graphics card are starting to reappear, with HP offering its Omen Max 16 model at a significantly reduced price of $2,299.99. This high-end laptop, praised for its performance and design, is now more accessible despite ongoing component shortages affecting newer models.
"Honestly, it's still getting worse" - Valve Steam Machine engineer says component prices are still rising, potentially paving the way for a price increase
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that consumer electronics component prices are still rising, potentially leading to price increases for products like the Steam Machine and Steam Deck. This trend is also impacting consoles, with Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo having already raised prices or planning to do so. Separately, Bethesda Game Studios leader Todd Howard thanked fans for their support following recent announcements about Fallout and The Elder Scrolls projects, emphasizing that the company listens to community feedback.
The Steam Machine's $1,000+ price tag is unlikely to come down anytime soon as Valve says the memory crisis is…
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that the memory chip crisis is worsening, impacting the production and pricing of the Steam Machine. He noted a significant lag between bulk supply observations and retail availability, with prices expected to remain high. The shortage is also limiting Valve's production capacity for the device.
Steam Deck OLED at $789: Should You Still Buy One in 2026?
Valve has significantly increased the prices of the Steam Deck OLED models, with the 512GB version now costing $789 and the 1TB version $949, reflecting global component cost challenges. This article explores whether the three-year-old handheld is still worth purchasing at these new flagship prices, considering alternatives like refurbished units, the used market, and competing devices, while also discussing the broader trend of rising prices in the handheld gaming market.
Xbox’s Console Future Looks Bleak In New Industry Forecast
Console sales are projected to decline significantly by 2027, with shipments falling to approximately 27.1 million units due to component shortages and rising prices. Analysts predict that next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 6 and a successor to the Xbox Series X|S could launch in 2028 with prices between $600 and $800. The Nintendo Switch 2 is also expected to see a sales decline, with its success potentially hinging on future game releases.
Blaze's affordable Super Pocket handheld has been hit with a price hike due to AI component demand, despite absorbing "rising costs across manufacturing, components, and freight for as long as possible"
Blaze has announced a price increase for its Super Pocket handheld and Evercade cartridges in the UK and Europe, citing rising costs for manufacturing, components, and freight, particularly due to demand for AI components. The Super Pocket will now cost between £59.99 / €69.99, and Evercade cartridges will be £24.99 / €29.99. Prices remain unchanged in the US due to recent tariff reductions.
Valve says the memory and storage crisis is so bad, it's not just a problem of pricing, they had to 'negotiate really hard' just to secure supply for the Steam Machine
Valve has revealed that securing memory and storage for the Steam Machine was not just a pricing issue, but a significant supply challenge. The company had to negotiate extensively to obtain the necessary components, facing a crisis that has been impacting them for up to a year, ahead of broader retail awareness. This difficulty contributed to the Steam Machine's high launch price of $1,049.
It looks like PlayStation 6 is going to cost Sony about $1,000 to make, which likely means it will cost more than that at retail
A recent leak suggests that the manufacturing cost for the upcoming PlayStation 6 could reach approximately $960 per unit, significantly higher than previous estimates. This increased cost, driven by component prices, may lead to a retail price exceeding $1,000, a historically high figure for a PlayStation console. Sony has not officially announced any details regarding the PlayStation 6's launch date or pricing.
PS6 will cost Sony £750 just for the raw materials says insider
An insider estimates the raw materials for the PlayStation 6 could cost around $960 (£730), significantly increasing the potential retail price. This surge is attributed to rising memory and hard drive costs, driven by demand for AI data centers, impacting all hardware manufacturers. Sony and Microsoft may face difficult decisions regarding console pricing and profitability.
