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[Superposition]

Insider Gaming has learned that the ongoing price increases in RAM due to the rise in AI could delay the next generation of console releases.

We first mentioned the rumor during our Insider Gaming Weekly episode on December 19th, where we mentioned that we had heard that there are already ongoing talks at the high levels on what the RAM availability could mean for the next generation.

From what we've heard, the industry as a whole is concerned about RAM availability (as they should be) and what that is going to mean for mass-producing consoles at a competitive price point. Not only for the next generation, but it could also mean that yet more price increases for current generation consoles will hit us in 2026.

More:

RAM Price Increases Could See Next-Generation Console Releases Delayed

Insider Gaming has learned that the ongoing price increases in RAM due to the rise in AI could delay the next generation of console releases.

insider-gaming.com

 

[tusharngf]

We are good till 2030. Overpriced consoles will kill the market.

 

[PSFore]

Already plenty of articles speculating about this. The news is apparently they "heard something".

 

[hououinkyouma00]

Oh look, another website needing to get in on the obvious so they don't lose easy clicks.

 

[Dr. Samuel Hayden]

They should make some games for the current ones first

 

[Topher]

I'm fine with that myself. Consoles are more like smart phones these days. Buying the latest, greatest isn't necessary.

 

[PlayStaytion]

Then they'll get more expensive.

 

[saintjules]

Keyword is 'could'. I still think Holiday 2027 is a safe launch window. We haven't even started 2026 yet.

I mean, who's saying 2030??

 

[Mownoc]

*Nintendo planning to manufacture 20m+ Switch 2's in 2026*

 

[keraj37]

Oh look, another website needing to get in on the obvious so they don't lose easy clicks.

We used to say, no shit sherlock

 

[Fabieter]

Keyword is 'could'. I still think Holiday 2027 is a safe launch window. We haven't even started 2026 yet.

I mean, who's saying 2030??

I think it could easily slip into 28 or 29 but 30 is a strech i agree.

 

[Botan32]

Perfect.

 

[Gamezone]

We have gone trough expensive hardware before and made it trough. We'll survive.

 

[asdasdasdbb]

I think they are wrong. As expensive as I'm sure it will be, it's not like the existing consoles memory will be cheap either.

The PS5 uses 8 memory chips, the Series X uses 16 (!)
PS6 is rumored to be 10 and Magnus 12?

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Oh....you don't say

 

[Elios83]

Oh look, another website needing to get in on the obvious so they don't lose easy clicks.

100% this.
They don't know anything, they just want to ride the clicks of the whole DRAM prices panic articles.

 

[ReyBrujo]

We will see if Valve delays their cube. Might be that this generation's only contender will be Switch 2.

 

[Kikorin]

Not delayed, but definitely revisited hardware specs with less RAM. This gen is going to last longer than ever considering the diminishing returns that already hitted hard and Sony releasing a portable PS6, probably going to have cross platform games for more years than we had from PS4/Xone -> PS5/SeriesX

 

[Mister Wolf]

Good. It's too soon for Sony to release another system.

 

[Coloress_Kafka]

I'm sure every game that's planning to come out before 2030 is gonna be cross gen so it doesn't really change much.

 

[darrylgorn]

Probably for the best. We might not need another console generation.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

 

[asdasdasdbb]

We will see if Valve delays their cube. Might be that this generation's only contender will be Switch 2.

I think this is very likely to persist into 2027 at the very least... so a delay isn't going to help. I think the option is to cancel and come up with a new Steam Machine once things calm down.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

I suspected as much - even without closely following tech or industry articles or GAF discussions, the RAM nonsense that's been going on lately - and will likely continue for quite some time - made this outcome feel inevitable.

The silver lining is that I'll at least get my money's worth out of my PS5 Pro, which so far has been rather disappointing for me.

Edit for clarity: I think that next gen consoles will get delayed indeed, maybe not to 2030 like some are suggesting but that 2027 window will , IMO, slip.

 

[Goalus]

I originally expected the next Xbox in 2026.
But I'm also fine with 27 or 28, just got the 4 TB memory expansion at a discount

 

[DeepEnigma]

Great, now we can have 20 threads complaining and overrun about how much more underpowered they are being delayed waiting on RAM, having the APU stamped years prior.

If this should happen, of course.

 

[mitch1971]

Night follows day article.

 

[Felessan]

"Could"
Companies always plans for variety variants of future

 

[BlueManifest]

I'm fine with that myself. Consoles are more like smart phones these days. Buying the latest, greatest isn't necessary.

Only if they make exclusive games for next gen which they shouldn't do anymore

 

[Magic Carpet]

Good, Bad, and Ugly.

 

[Three]

All it will do is extend the crossgen period. At the end of the day they can still release at high prices with slower uptake.

 

[Ebrietas]

Yeah we need a new console asap. The ps5 is clearly holding developers back/s.

 

[spookyfish]

Night follows day article.

But the day destroys the night ...

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

I honestly don't care. Console hardware is powerful enough where it's not limiting what kinds of games can get made.

 

[Gp1]

Good!

We're nowhere near to taking full advantage of the PS5/Pro hardware. I think it's more likely we'll see technical revisions of current consoles or even handhelds.

I would love to see a 2028/2029/2030 window for the new consoles. Make those devs sweat a little to deliver good games on the current consoles.

 

[amigastar]

Good!

We're nowhere near to taking full advantage of the PS5/Pro hardware. I think it's more likely we'll see technical revisions of current consoles or even handhelds.

I would love to see a 2028/2029/2030 window for the new consoles. Make those devs sweat a little to deliver good games on the current consoles.

Same, my PC is doing just fine and i don't need a new Console gen right now.

 

[BlueManifest]

Good!

We're nowhere near to taking full advantage of the PS5/Pro hardware. I think it's more likely we'll see technical revisions of current consoles or even handhelds.

I would love to see a 2028/2029/2030 window for the new consoles. Make those devs sweat a little to deliver good games on the current consoles.

Even if next gen consoles were like 30Tflops there's no reason games made for those systems couldnt be released on ps5 at like 720p, traditional console gens are going away

This isn't like past gens where it was impossible for a ps2 game to run on ps1

 

[ByWatterson]

PS5 Pro has a lot left in the tank.

I'm good either way.

 

[analog_future]

Honestly I hope it does. No need to see new consoles for at least another 3-4 years.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Even if next gen consoles were like 30Tflops there's no reason games made for those systems couldnt be released on ps5 at like 720p, traditional console gens are going away

Ah yes, the Series S analogy.

 

[Fake]

For me is a Win to Win case. They will have time enough to polish their AI tools.

Unless you want to beta test just like PS5pro.

 

[Darsxx82]

I highly doubt that manufacturers with a pre-established plan, finalized specs, and agreements with AMD will decide to delay releases for several years due to the current RAM situation.

It's as simple as launching at a higher price than planned to satisfy hardcore or enthusiastic users who buy on day one and want the latest technology, while maintaining the same cross-platform releases.

In a time when hardware is 90% finalized, delaying it will only result in a product that becomes even more outdated.

 

[Clear]

No shit its going to cause delays!

Scarcity/component cost is the #1 reason to defer launching mass-market electronics.

 

[Mr Moose]

Fucking AI pricks.

 

[Icymanipulator]

I'm fine with it, devs need to get better at working with the specs that are out and stop relying on increased power to make better games.

 

[RedC]

Good. Hopefully, it will allow studios to optimize fully at these fixed specs, and we can see the full potential these consoles can offer in late gen.

 

[MrJangles]

Ah yes, we really need a new console in two years time with current gen looking so shit.

wtf is the ps6 going to offer to relegate stuff like the above to last-gen and extract $700 from our wallets? Oooh, more ray tracing?

 

[LavitzSlambert]

Very satisfied with my PS5 Pro, Switch 2, and 5070ti. Hardware is there, just need more games to take full advantage of these, so I'm not anticipating next gen for a while.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Tech billionaires buying up PC parts is ruining the hobby.

 

[Sethbacca]

Ah yes, we really need a new console in two years time with current gen looking so shit.

wtf is the ps6 going to offer to relegate stuff like the above to last-gen and extract $700 from our wallets? Oooh, more ray tracing?

It's really just going to give us current graphics with fewer compromises. There won't be much next gen visual wow factor so much as just improved performance across the board is my guess. Which, honestly, I'm here for it day one but I get why others would be fine staying on current gen.