The highly anticipated launch of next-generation gaming consoles, including the PlayStation 6 (PS6), could be pushed back and their prices could skyrocket due to a severe shortage and soaring cost of RAM modules, a new report claims. The crisis is reportedly driven by the explosive demand for memory from the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.
The AI Boom's Unintended Victim: Console Gaming
According to a detailed report by Insider Gaming, the price of RAM modules has surged by several hundred percent in just the past few months. This dramatic increase is directly linked to the massive infrastructure build-out required for AI technologies, which are consuming available memory supply at an unprecedented rate. The report suggests this shortage is not a temporary blip and could continue to be a bottleneck for the foreseeable future.
"Or at the very least, the RAM shortage will mean that prices will continue to hike," the report states, painting a grim picture for hardware manufacturers. This puts companies like Sony and Microsoft in a difficult position as they plan their future console generations.
A "Tricky Spot" for Manufacturers: Delay or Price Surge?
The financial implications are severe. Gaming consoles have historically been sold at a subsidised cost, with companies recouping money through software and services. However, the current memory market disrupts that model.
"It leaves console producers in a very tricky spot moving forward... it seems like RAM availability and price increases will mean that the next-generation of consoles, which were already believed to be much higher in price than previous generations, could be extortionate," the Insider Gaming analysis warns.
This challenging scenario has reportedly sparked internal debates among console makers. The core question is whether to delay the intended 2027-2028 release window for the next wave of consoles. A delay would allow RAM manufacturers time to expand their production infrastructure, potentially increasing supply and lowering costs before the hardware finalisation.
Sony's PS6 is Already "Top of Mind"
The potential delay news comes even as Sony has begun very early teases about the PlayStation 6's development. Earlier this year, on June 13, Sony Interactive Entertainment's CEO and President, Hideaki Nishino, addressed the future during a Fireside Chat.
As per an IGN report, Nishino acknowledged the immense player interest in the company's next steps. "Naturally therefore, there's a huge interest in our next generation console strategy," he said. While withholding specifics, he confirmed that "the future of the platform is top of mind" for the developer, and the company is committed to exploring new ways for player engagement.
The convergence of early corporate hints and supply chain warnings indicates that while the vision for the PS6 and its competitors is clear, the path to a consumer-friendly launch is now fraught with significant material challenges from an unrelated, booming industry.
