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If PS6 handheld rumors are real, ex-PlayStation boss suggests Sony skip a home console because it "really struggles to sell 2 different pieces of hardware at the same time"
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden suggests Sony struggles to market two hardware platforms simultaneously, citing past difficulties with the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. He speculates that if Sony releases a PlayStation 6 handheld, they might consolidate their gaming activities around that single platform, potentially skipping a traditional home console.
European games industry revenue reached €30bn in 2025
The European games industry generated €30 billion in 2025, with digital purchases making up 91% of revenue. While the original five major markets saw a slight decline, the overall revenue figure is bolstered by the inclusion of 11 new countries in the report. Mobile and tablets were the leading platforms for both usage and revenue generation.
Newzoo: 2026 console revenue would be flat year-on-year without Grand Theft Auto 6
Research firm Newzoo predicts that console revenue will remain flat in 2026 compared to 2025 without the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. The upcoming title is identified as the primary driver for projected console market growth, significantly boosting full-game spending. The analysis also notes the Nintendo Switch 2 as a contributing factor to the console market's performance.
PlayStation 6 Price Could Be A Lot Higher Than Gamers Thought, But There’s Hope — Report
A report from Ampere Analysis suggests the PlayStation 6 could launch at a significantly higher price, potentially reaching $1,000, due to increased technology and hardware costs. This could lead to a 38% lower adoption rate compared to the PlayStation 5. However, Sony has options, including hardware subsidies, new revenue streams, or rethinking the console's form factor, to keep the price more accessible.
Analyst reckons the Epic Games Store can't "recover" in duel with Steam, Epic GM says "the data…
An analyst from Newzoo believes the Epic Games Store cannot compete with Steam due to Steam's established dominance and Epic's strategy of giving away free games. However, Epic Games' VP and GM, Martin Keely, stated that data shows significant growth in player hours and spending on third-party games on the Epic Games Store in 2025, with further acceleration expected.
Epic Games Store overhaul might be "too little, too late", says Newzoo analyst
Newzoo analyst Emmanuel Rosier believes that an overhaul of the Epic Games Store may be too late to challenge Steam's dominance in the PC digital distribution market. While Epic's free game giveaways attract users, they do not foster lasting engagement, and players tend to stick with Steam. Rosier is more optimistic about Epic's prospects with Fortnite, noting its successful integration of crossover cosmetics.
If PS6 and Xbox Project Helix are $1,000, 5-year sales could be 40% worse than the PS5 generation, analyst says
An analyst from Ampere Analysis predicts that if the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix launch at $1,000, combined sales over five years could drop by 38% compared to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X generation. This scenario, coupled with incremental hardware improvements, could also negatively impact the overall console games and services market by 12%.
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.
$1,000 Consoles Could Have This Dramatic, Negative Effect On Gaming – Report
An analysis by Ampere Analysis suggests that if next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix launch at a $1,000 price point, sales could be 38% lower in the first five years, costing the market $3.4 billion by 2031. The firm recommends strategies such as delaying launches, subsidizing hardware, or innovating on form factor to avoid such high prices.
From $160 to $530: The Priciest MTG Cards in the Hobbit Set Right Now
The Magic: The Gathering set based on The Hobbit features several high-value cards, with Gleaming Splendor currently fetching $530. Other notable cards include Gandalf, Goblins' Bane at around $300 and The Arkenstone at $305. These prices are subject to change due to the early stage of the set's release.
XRP Open Interest Swells to Its Highest Since October Just as CPI Day Arrives
XRP's open interest has reached its highest point since October, totaling $2.73 billion, as the cryptocurrency hovers near the $1 mark. This significant leverage buildup occurs just before the U.S. CPI release, potentially increasing volatility for XRP compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum. The article also briefly mentions a bridge exploit on the XRP Ledger and Zcash's Tachyon upgrade.
Bitcoin’s volatility gauge has gone quiet — and that should worry you more than it comforts you
Bitcoin's 30-day implied volatility has fallen to 36%, a level that typically precedes significant price swings rather than indicating market stability. Despite recent negative developments like a major hack and institutional outflows, traders are not actively hedging, suggesting a potential for a sharp upward or downward move. On-chain data shows strong buying interest around the $62,000-$65,000 range, which is currently absorbing selling pressure and keeping the price range-bound.
Nintendo Switch 2 Tops US Charts in June as Hardware Spending Plummets by 62 Percent Year-Over-Year
US video game spending in June plummeted by 62% year-over-year to $383 million, largely due to the absence of a major new console launch like the previous year's Nintendo Switch 2. The Nintendo Switch 2 remained the top-selling platform in units and dollars, though its sales also declined. Despite overall spending drops, the first six months of the year saw only a one percent decrease compared to last year, with Grand Theft Auto 6's upcoming November release anticipated to boost numbers significantly.
Of all the platforms, Xbox is the only one to have just grown year-on-year - but there's a big catch
US video game spending in June dropped 21% year-on-year, with hardware sales declining significantly by 62%. While the Nintendo Switch 2 launch in June 2025 skewed comparisons, Xbox Series X/S was the only platform to see hardware spending growth, albeit from a low base. Subscriptions were the sole segment to experience growth.
PlayStation 6 could outsell Xbox Project Helix by roughly 10 million units before 2030, analysts predict
Analysts predict that the PlayStation 6 will significantly outsell the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, by approximately 10 million units before 2030. This forecast considers current hardware costs, software availability, and the overall economic climate, with Sony's next-gen console expected to reach 17.2 million units by 2030, while the Xbox successor is projected to sell only 7.3 million.
GTA 6 won't help console sales says analysts as demand predicted to drop by 20%
Despite the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, analysts predict a significant drop in console sales for 2026 and further decline in 2027. S&P Global Market Intelligence forecasts sales to fall to 33.9 million units by the end of 2026, down from 42.1 million in 2025, citing high prices, component shortages, and a lack of major releases as key factors.
Data analysis suggests that Steam has made $11B in the first half of this year already
Data analysis from Alinea Analytics suggests Valve's Steam platform has generated $11.1 billion in revenue in the first half of the year, a 14.5% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth is attributed to a surge in players in China, successful co-op releases, publishers returning to Steam, and increased sales of both new and back catalogue games. However, the analysis also warns that this growth may exacerbate discoverability issues for smaller studios and new intellectual property.
As Xbox and PlayStation flounder, Steam is reportedly having another record year
Valve's PC storefront Steam has achieved record-breaking revenue in the first half of 2026, generating an estimated $11.1 billion. This growth is attributed to the strong performance of the Chinese market, higher new release prices, and the return of third-party publishers. Meanwhile, Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation divisions are facing challenges due to declining sales, increased hardware costs, and negative consumer sentiment.
New IDC report claims worldwide PC shipments fell by 5% but revenue didn't, as 'vendors are pushing through price increases faster than demand is dropping'
A new IDC report indicates a 4.9% year-over-year decline in worldwide PC shipments during Q2, marking the first decrease after nine quarters of growth, largely attributed to the ongoing memory crisis. Despite falling unit sales for major manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, Dell, and Asus, overall revenue has increased due to vendors implementing faster price hikes than demand is dropping. Apple notably saw a 10% increase in shipments and market share during this period.
The Console Market Is Cooked
This analysis explores the rising costs of consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. It features an interview with an analyst to understand the reasons behind the increased prices and discusses the potentially bleak future of console gaming.