Supply Chain Issues
Ongoing coverage on Supply Chain Issues.
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The PS6 doesn't have a release date yet, Sony CEO says, largely because getting parts is still a nightmare thanks…
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki stated that there is currently no release date for the PlayStation 6, citing ongoing global supply chain issues, particularly with chip manufacturing, as a major obstacle. The company is also navigating a challenging game development climate and the potential impact of major game releases on console sales.
In the eleventh hour before Steam Frame's launch, its processor manufacturer just announced rising prices
Qualcomm has informed its partners that it will be increasing prices for its processing chips starting September 1st due to rising manufacturing costs. This announcement could impact the imminent launch of Valve's Steam Frame VR headset, which uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and potentially other devices like the Meta Quest 3 and Pico 4 Ultra.
Xbox console prices to increase this August
Microsoft will increase the prices of its Xbox consoles starting August 1, 2026, due to rising component costs and the ongoing consumer electronics crisis. The 512GB models will increase by $100 and 1TB models by $150, while the 2TB model will be discontinued. This follows similar price hikes by Sony for the PlayStation 5 and an upcoming increase for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Microsoft Is Increasing The Cost Of Xbox Consoles, Again, Starting In August
Microsoft is increasing the price of its Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles again, effective August 1. The 512 GB Series S will rise by $100 to $500, and the 1 TB Series X will increase by $150 to $800, attributed to rising component and memory costs. The company is also discontinuing 2 TB models and introducing new financing and refurbished options to improve accessibility.
Xbox Series X/S Prices Will Increase Again From August 1st
Microsoft's Xbox division has announced another price increase for the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, effective August 1st. The company cited rising component and storage costs, which have more than doubled for consoles, as the primary reason for the hikes. To mitigate the impact, Xbox is introducing new Buy Now, Pay Later financing options and promoting trade-in programs for previously played consoles.
"It didn't look like things were going to change anytime soon": Valve insist price worries were never behind Steam Machine delays
Valve designers Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehayyat clarified that supply chain issues, not pricing concerns, were the primary reason for the Steam Machine's delays. They explained that establishing efficient production lines and securing components took significant time and effort, impacting the launch quantity rather than the decision to release.
Valve's Gabe Newell attacked by Epic's Tim Sweeney over Steam Deck price hike
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized Valve boss Gabe Newell following a significant price increase for the Steam Deck, attributing the hike to global logistical challenges and component costs. Sweeney's comments were met with scrutiny due to Epic Games' own recent price adjustments and layoffs, as well as the role of AI data centers in exacerbating memory shortages.
Valve raises Steam Deck OLED prices by over $200
Valve has increased the prices of its Steam Deck OLED models by over $200 in the United States and other key markets due to rising memory and storage costs. The 512GB model now retails for $789 and the 1TB model for $949. The company cited global logistical challenges and industry-wide component cost increases as reasons for the price adjustments.
We're starting to get convincing counterfeit DDR5 modules, just in case the memory crisis isn't bad enough…
Convincing counterfeit DDR5 memory modules are beginning to appear, exacerbating existing supply and price issues. These fake modules often use bare circuit boards instead of actual memory chips and can be difficult to distinguish from genuine products, especially in laptop form factors. Buyers are advised to purchase from trusted sellers and be wary of prices that seem too good to be true.
Gigabyte, Asus, MSI, and more reportedly adjust their sales targets as the RAM crisis strangles motherboard sales
Major motherboard manufacturers including Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock are reportedly lowering their sales targets for the remainder of 2026 due to ongoing RAM and storage shortages. These shortages, exacerbated by AI infrastructure demand and global supply chain issues, have led to significant price increases for PC components, impacting consumer purchasing decisions and the overall gaming PC market.
Valve on the Steam Machine delays: 'Obviously we're bummed that this is the state of things'
Valve has acknowledged the delays affecting its Steam Machine hardware, citing industry-wide challenges such as RAM and memory shortages, and price hikes. The company expressed frustration but is working to overcome these obstacles to release the product at a competitive price. The Steam Controller is launching first, as it was deemed more sensible to release it independently rather than hold it back for a simultaneous launch with the Steam Machine.
Steam Controller Price Leaks Online
A leaked YouTube video revealed that Valve's upcoming Steam Controller will be priced at $99.99. Valve has also indicated that ongoing RAM and storage shortages may impact the release dates for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, potentially delaying them into 2026, despite earlier hopes for a first-half-of-the-year launch.
It seems Steam Controller is shipping first as RAM crisis holds Steam Machine back
Valve's Steam Machine launch is reportedly delayed due to an AI-induced RAM crisis, but the Steam Controller is expected to ship first. An official distributor briefly listed the Steam Controller with details, suggesting it is less affected by supply issues. This marks the second iteration of the Steam Controller, with a more refined design compared to its predecessor.
After PS5 Price Hikes, Sony Suspends Memory Card Sales Due to Supply Crisis
Sony has temporarily suspended sales of its CFexpress and SDXC/SDHC memory cards due to global component shortages and other factors. This decision, alongside recent price hikes for the PlayStation 5, highlights ongoing pressures in the global economic landscape and supply chain.
UK Charts: Pokémon Pokopia's Physical Troubles Continue As It Slips From The Podium
Pokémon Pokopia has fallen to fourth place in the UK physical charts during its second week due to reported stock shortages, despite strong digital sales. Resident Evil Requiem remains at the top, followed by Mario Kart World and WWE 2K26. Monster Hunter Stories 3 and Fatal Frame II also entered the top 10.
Physical Game Shortages Drive Pokemon Pokopia to $80 on Amazon
Physical game shortages are driving up prices, with Pokemon Pokopia reaching $80 on Amazon due to limited stock. This trend, affecting other titles like RE9, is attributed to publishers reducing print runs and ongoing supply chain issues. The article discusses the impact on collectors and families, lamenting the loss of spontaneous game purchases and the shift towards pre-ordering.
