Hardware Shortages
Ongoing coverage on Hardware Shortages.
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Steam Frame price blamed on memory crisis but Steam Deck 2 plans unaffected
Valve's new VR headset, the Steam Frame, is launching at a high price point of £889 for the 256GB model and £1,089 for the 1TB model, significantly higher than originally intended due to global memory shortages. Hardware engineer Joy Lyons stated the RAM crisis impacted their pricing targets. Despite these issues, Valve's plans for a Steam Deck successor remain unaffected, according to software developer Pierre-Loup Griffais.
Valve says RAM crisis hasn't really changed its Steam Deck 2 plans, but hints that it could affect launch timing — and I'm all for a long delay if it's necessary
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the ongoing RAM crisis has not significantly altered plans for the Steam Deck 2, but it could affect the launch timing. Valve remains committed to delivering a substantial generational performance leap for the sequel, prioritizing value and performance over an earlier release date, even if it means a longer wait.
Valve's Steam Frame is available for pre-order, starts at $1,059 USD
Valve has opened pre-orders for its new VR peripheral, the Steam Frame, starting at $1,059 USD for the 256GB model and $1,299 USD for the 1TB model. The headset features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 16GB RAM, and runs SteamOS 3, functioning as a full PC. The launch was impacted by ongoing hardware shortages.
Aaarrgh! NEOGEO AES+ delayed until September 2027 amid pesky memory chip shortages
The NEOGEO AES+ retro hardware platform has been delayed until September 16, 2027, due to higher-than-expected demand and ongoing memory chip shortages. PLAION REPLAI is using the extra time to increase production capacity and expand the planned software lineup beyond the initial ten games. Pre-orders remain valid, and early buyers will receive bonus items.
'Consoles are here to stay': CD Projekt Red boss bets on Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo 'weathering the…
CD Projekt Red's CEO Michal Nowakowski believes consoles from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo will overcome current hardware shortages and potential price increases. However, the article notes Sony faces backlash over its planned discontinuation of physical game discs in 2028, which could impact sales.
PS6, Project Helix at $1,000 Will Sell 38 Percent Less Than Current-Gen Consoles – Analysts
Analysts at Ampere Analysis predict that a $1,000 launch price for the PlayStation 6 and Project Helix could lead to a 38% decrease in adoption compared to the current generation. The report suggests strategies like delaying releases, using heavy subsidies, or focusing on innovative hardware over raw power, similar to Nintendo's Wii strategy. Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki acknowledged the challenges posed by component shortages and trade wars, stating the company is still undecided on a PS6 launch date.
Marvel Rivals Is About To Give Your SSD Some Much-Needed Breathing Room
Marvel Rivals is implementing a significant update to reduce its install size on PC and consoles. Developer NetEase announced that a texture compression overhaul will shrink the game by 40GB on PC and up to 15GB on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, without compromising graphical quality. This comes at a time of rising hardware costs and increasing game sizes.
PS5 Is Closing In On 100 Million Sales, But It’s Losing Ground To The PS4
The PlayStation 5 has sold 95.3 million units, nearing 100 million but trailing behind the PlayStation 4's sales at the same point in its lifecycle. Sony sold 1.6 million PS5 consoles in the last quarter, a 36% decrease year-on-year, attributed partly to ongoing component shortages and increased prices. Despite hardware sales decline, software unit sales and monthly active users have seen increases.
Roku is increasing prices across its hardware range
Roku has increased prices across its range of streaming devices. This price hike is reportedly due to ongoing industry-wide shortages of memory components.
Valve Says Memory Crisis is “Still Getting Worse,” But Believes the Steam Machine is a Success
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that the global memory crisis is worsening, with current retail supply lagging behind bulk orders by three to six months. Despite these supply chain issues, which are limiting production of the Steam Machine, Aldehayyat believes the platform is a success in addressing a real user problem. Valve is continuing production and support for the Steam Machine, even as the memory crisis is projected to continue into 2027.
Evening Tech Bits
Preorder emails for the Steam Machine are causing confusion, with some units already appearing on eBay before preorders have officially begun. Separately, Micron indicates that the memory shortage is expected to continue without an end in sight.
As Steam Machine and Xbox are latest to fall to the RAMpocalpyse, Micron CEO says RAM shortages won't ease until…
Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra predicts that global RAM shortages, exacerbated by AI demand and economic factors, will persist until at least 2028, leading to continued price hikes for gaming hardware. This situation has already caused price increases for platforms like Steam Machine, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5, with future consoles like the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix expected to be significantly more expensive.
Xbox Series S, The “Cheap” Option, Now Costs As Much As Series X Did Six Years Ago
The Xbox Series S, initially launched at $300, will increase to $500 on August 1, matching the original launch price of the Xbox Series X. This price hike, attributed to AI-driven chip shortages and Microsoft's role in AI product proliferation, marks a significant departure from historical console pricing trends. The move makes the once budget-friendly option considerably more expensive for consumers looking for affordable next-generation gaming.
Valve's $1,049 Steam Machine could've cost around $300 less if not for global RAM shortages, engineers say…
Valve engineers have indicated that global RAM shortages contributed to the Steam Machine's $1,049 price tag, potentially increasing its cost by around $300. This situation mirrors recent price adjustments seen with the Steam Deck, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch due to market conditions. Consumers have expressed disappointment with the high price point for the console-PC hybrid.
Sony's PS6 is still coming out in 2027 suggests hardware insider
Despite ongoing memory shortages, insider KeplerL2 suggests Sony's PlayStation 6 will still launch in 2027 as planned, refuting reports of a potential delay to 2028 or 2029. This aligns with previous insights from Moore's Law Is Dead, indicating that manufacturing contracts are in place and would be costly to terminate. The article also notes the recent price increase of the PlayStation 5 and speculates on the higher cost of its successor.
If You Haven’t Reserved A Steam Controller Yet, You’ll Have To Wait Until Next Year
Due to overwhelming demand, new reservations for Valve's Steam Controller will not be fulfilled until at least 2027. Valve has stated they have no plans to stop production but the response has exceeded expectations. The company is providing estimated delivery windows for existing orders, with new orders facing significant delays.
Xbox admits consoles are becoming unaffordable and hints at 'new business model'
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated that the company is exploring new business models for future consoles due to the current hardware crisis and rising component costs. She suggested that the next Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, may move away from a purely premium, high-performance focus to ensure affordability for a wider audience, potentially through flexible storage options or different pricing strategies.
Steam Machine is coming this summer, Valve confirms, but its lack of pricing has me raising an eyebrow as hardware…
Valve has confirmed that the Steam Machine and Steam Frame hardware will begin shipping this summer, though pricing details remain unannounced. The delay was attributed to ongoing memory chip shortages, which have also impacted pricing for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch consoles. Valve is also expanding its Steam Deck Verified program to include the Steam Machine and Steam Frame.
Despite astronomical price hike, the Steam Deck has sold out again in North America
Despite a significant price increase to $949 for the 1TB model, Valve's Steam Deck has sold out again in North America shortly after being restocked. Intermittent stock issues are attributed to memory and storage shortages, potentially exacerbated by Valve's focus on other hardware projects like the Steam Machine. Limited stock remains available in other regions, with the LCD model still available in Australia at its original price.
The Steam Deck OLED's price hikes have killed its status as the best deal in PC games hardware
The Steam Deck OLED has seen significant price increases due to ongoing component shortages and global logistical challenges. The 512GB model now costs $789 and the 1TB model is priced at $949, making it less competitive against rivals like the ASUS ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go.
