Supply Chain
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Roughly 10 billion Pokemon cards were printed in the last year, which goes to show how bad the reseller situation is…
Despite printing approximately 10 billion Pokemon cards in the last year, availability remains a significant issue due to high demand and resellers inflating prices. Total card production has risen to 85 billion, yet acquiring both new and old sets continues to be a struggle for consumers.
10 Billion Pokémon Cards Were Printed Last Year — and It Still Wasn't Enough to Stop Shortages and Scalping
The Pokémon Company produced over 10 billion trading cards last year, bringing the total to 85 billion cards printed to date. Despite this massive output, shortages and scalping continue to affect the market.
If this breakdown of the full cost of producing your favourite graphics card is accurate, then prices for certain GPUs are going to make 64 GB DDR5 kits look cheap
A breakdown of graphics card production costs suggests that prices for certain GPUs, particularly high-end models, are set to increase significantly. Factors like DRAM shortages, increased wafer prices from TSMC, and rising shipping costs are contributing to these hikes, with some cards already exceeding MSRP and more price surges expected.
Nvidia says 'demand for AI infrastructure continues to expand at an unprecedented pace' but after speaking to…
Nvidia reports unprecedented demand for AI infrastructure, with its revenue soaring due to AI-focused hardware. However, experts offer mixed opinions on the future of AI growth, with some predicting a slowdown by late 2026 due to market saturation and pushback against data centers, while others foresee continued broad adoption across major companies driving GPU demand.
Samsung workers could be about to strike, potentially making GPUs, memory, and SSDs even more expensive
Samsung workers in Korea are threatening to strike, potentially impacting global production of memory, SSDs, and GPUs. The dispute centers on pay and bonus structures, with a potential strike involving over 43,000 workers that could reduce semiconductor output by 3-4%. The Korean government has intervened to ensure safety and production levels, but negotiations are ongoing.
I really hope you weren't considering a GPU upgrade this year, as Nvidia may raise the price of the already pricey…
Reports suggest Nvidia may increase the price of the RTX 5090 GPU by as much as $300 due to ongoing memory shortages impacting component pricing. This potential price hike, if true, will likely affect PC gamers. The AI industry's high demand for memory chips is a primary driver of the current supply crisis, with significant improvements not expected until 2028.
Nintendo president: Switch 2 price increases due to war on Iran and AI-driven memory crisis
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa explained that the price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 is due to sustained rises in component costs, driven by AI data centers and oil prices linked to the war on Iran. These factors necessitate maintaining a healthy earnings structure for the company's hardware business. Furukawa also highlighted the importance of strong software releases, like Pokémon Pokopia, in driving hardware sales and encouraging player transitions.
Where to buy NeeDoh, the viral toy sensation
The viral toy NeeDoh is experiencing extremely high demand, leading to widespread stock shortages. Schylling CEO Paul Weingard noted that the company sold its entire year's inventory within the first nine weeks of the year. The toy's popularity surged due to social media platforms like TikTok, creating a self-sustaining cycle of demand.
Framework says DDR5 memory costs 'remain fairly stable' but 'on SSDs, the pricing story is unfortunately not as positive' as it raises prices again
Modular laptop company Framework reports that while DDR5 memory costs have remained stable, SSD prices are increasing due to supply shortages. The company attributes these rising costs to increased demand from AI data centers and a general memory crisis. Framework has had to adjust its pricing upwards to reflect the higher costs of newly sourced components.
Nintendo Increased The Switch 2 Price to $500, And It Still Isn't Enough
Nintendo is increasing the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 from $450 to $500 in the US starting in September, citing rising component, currency, and oil costs. Despite the price hike, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stated the new MSRP will not fully cover production costs but believes a strong software lineup will maintain value for consumers. This follows similar price increases for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.
Valve forming an orderly queue for the Steam Controller makes it clear we need the same for the Steam Machine, Frame, and perhaps a lot more in-demand tech too
Valve's implementation of a reservation queue for the Steam Controller highlights the need for similar systems for other in-demand tech like the Steam Machine. The article contrasts this with the frustrating purchasing experiences for the Steam Deck and PlayStation 5, advocating for reservation systems to combat resellers and improve customer satisfaction.
Valve commits to a reservation system for today's new batch of Steam Controller stock, which gives me a lot more…
Valve is implementing a reservation system for the Steam Controller to combat resellers and ensure fairer access for consumers. This system, similar to those used by Sony and Nintendo for their hardware launches, will limit purchases to one per customer and aims to prevent scalpers from profiting excessively. Valve is also applying lessons learned from past Steam Deck supply management to upcoming Steam Frame and Steam Machine hardware.
Sony forecasts decline in FY26 PS5 hardware sales due to memory price headwinds
Sony forecasts a 6% year-over-year decline in PlayStation 5 hardware sales for fiscal year 2026. The company cited challenges in procuring sufficient memory as a primary reason for the projected decrease.
'Regardless of the type of offer, available capacity is essentially zero right now': SK hynix is reportedly being swamped with 'unprecedented' offers to secure memory chips
SK hynix is reportedly overwhelmed with offers to secure memory chips due to an ongoing global shortage, with available capacity essentially at zero. Companies are proposing financing equipment and providing advanced machinery to secure contracts, but SK hynix is cautious about long-term deals that could lead to selling memory at a lower price. Other major players like Samsung and Micron are also reportedly in talks for multi-year contracts, while companies like Maingear and Phison express concerns about the crisis potentially leading to bankruptcies.
Nintendo announces price increase for Switch 2 handheld — but you still have time to beat it
Nintendo has announced a price increase for its upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 handheld console, set to take effect on September 1, 2026, in North America and Europe, and May 25, 2026, in Japan. The price will rise to $499.99 in the US, with similar increases in Canada and Europe, and a significant jump in Japan for both hardware and online subscriptions. This decision comes amid broader market conditions and price adjustments seen across the industry, including by Sony and Microsoft for their current-generation consoles.
Nintendo is raising Switch 2 prices around the world
Nintendo is increasing the prices of its Switch hardware and Nintendo Switch Online services in key markets including Japan, the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company cited "various changes in market conditions" and ongoing memory shortages as reasons for the revisions, which will take effect in late May and early September 2026.
Nintendo hounded by investors to increase Switch 2 price to protect margins
Nintendo is facing pressure from investors to increase the price of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 due to rising component costs and supply chain disruptions. Investors are concerned that the projected $450 price point may be unprofitable, especially when compared to Sony's ability to adjust PlayStation 5 pricing. The company is expected to address these concerns during its upcoming earnings briefing.
Nintendo Is Under Pressure To Increase The Switch 2 Prices
Nintendo is facing investor pressure to increase the price of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 due to rising memory costs and concerns about profitability. Despite the original Nintendo Switch surpassing the Nintendo DS in sales, the company's stock has fallen, leading to discussions about pricing strategies. President Shuntaro Furukawa stated that the company will carefully consider all factors before making a decision.
The World Is In Such A Mess, Investors Actually Want Nintendo To Raise The Price Of The Switch 2
Nintendo investors are reportedly urging the company to raise the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 due to rising component costs and global trade pressures, which have led to a significant drop in Nintendo's share price. While some investors fear a price hike could hurt demand, others are concerned about the console being sold at a loss. Nintendo has previously indicated a price increase is possible but aims for long-term console success.
AMD CEO says gaming segment will be impacted by higher memory & component costs in 2nd half of 2026
AMD CEO Lisa Su stated that the company anticipates challenges in its gaming segment during the second half of 2026 due to persistent high demand and low supply of memory and other components. These supply chain issues are expected to impact the company in the third and fourth quarters of that year.