Katarzyna Petru
The semiconductor crisis is returning in a new form and this time it is affecting not only the PC market. The growing demand for DRAM and NAND memory, alongside the limited production capacities of TSMC, is beginning to impact the console industry as well. According to the latest information, Sony is analysing the possibility of postponing the launch of PlayStation 6. Instead of debuting around 2027, the new generation may appear as much as two years later. In the background, there is, of course, a boom in artificial intelligence, which is ‘siphoning’ resources from the entire hardware market. And this means rising costs and more difficult strategic decisions.
PlayStation 6 later than expected?
According to Bloomberg, Sony is considering a scenario in which PlayStation 6 will debut only in 2028 or 2029. This is a clear departure from the previous release cycle, which suggested 2027 as a natural moment for the generational shift. The reason is said to be cost pressures and problems with the availability of key components. The production of modern integrated circuits is largely subordinated to the needs of companies developing AI, which restricts the availability of production capacity for other industries.
Not just Sony. Nintendo and Microsoft are also under pressure
The issues are not limited to PlayStation. According to reports, Nintendo is analysing the possibility of raising the price of the Switch 2 in 2026, despite earlier declarations of price stability. Meanwhile, the next Xbox, rumoured to be released in 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 may begin to fade. This could change the way players approach hardware; some may hold on to the current generation longer than usual.
What does it mean for gamers?
The extended life cycle of current consoles means more remasters, upgraded versions, and gradual updates instead of a quick technological leap. At the same time, more expensive components could raise the prices of new devices when they eventually arrive. If the AI boom does not slow down, the coming years may be a transitional period for the gaming industry – with a greater emphasis on services, subscriptions, and cloud gaming instead of traditional hardware releases.
Source: Bloomberg
