Katarzyna Petru
The semiconductor crisis is back in a new guise and this time it's hitting not just the PC market. The rising demand for DRAM and NAND memory along with the limited production capacities of TSMC are also beginning to impact the console industry. According to the latest information, Sony is analysing the possibility of delaying the release of PlayStation 6. Instead of debuting around 2027, the new generation may show up even two years later. In the background, there is of course the boom in artificial intelligence, which is "sucking" resources from the entire hardware market. And that means rising costs and tougher strategic decisions.
PlayStation 6 later than expected?
As reported by Bloomberg, Sony is considering a scenario in which PlayStation 6 will debut as late as 2028 or 2029. This marks a clear departure from the previous release cycle, which suggested 2027 as the natural point for a generational change. The reason is said to be cost pressures and issues with the availability of key components. The production of modern chips is largely subject to the needs of companies developing AI, which limits the availability of production capacity for other industries.
Not just Sony. Nintendo and Microsoft are also under pressure
The issues aren't limited to PlayStation. According to reports, Nintendo is considering raising the price of the Switch 2 in 2026, despite earlier statements about price stability. Meanwhile, the next Xbox, which is being discussed in relation to 2027, may turn out to be more expensive to produce due to the new APU architecture from AMD. If component costs continue to rise, the price advantage of consoles over PCs will begin to blur. This could change the way players approach hardware, with some of them possibly sticking with the current generation longer than usual.
What does this mean for gamers?
The prolonged lifespan of current consoles means more remasters, enhanced versions, and gradual updates instead of a quick technological leap. At the same time, more expensive components may raise the prices of new devices when they do eventually arrive. If the AI boom doesn't slow down, the coming years could be a transitional period for the gaming industry – with greater emphasis on services, subscriptions, and cloud gaming instead of classic hardware launches.
Source: Bloomberg
