Gamers anticipating the next generation of consoles should prepare for disappointment. New reports indicate that the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox may arrive later than expected. The delay stems from an ongoing global RAM crisis due to the AI boom that is currently reshaping the tech industry.
While PC gamers have already faced skyrocketing prices, this hardware shortage now looms over the console market. Consequently, Sony and Microsoft are reportedly rethinking their release schedules to avoid production bottlenecks.
AI Boom: OpenAI Deal Triggers Market Shift
The root of this crisis began recently in October 2025. Two major RAM manufacturers signed an agreement to allocate a massive portion of their memory supply to an OpenAI data centre expansion project.
This deal immediately constrained the global supply chain. As a result, consumer RAM prices more than tripled. Furthermore, more manufacturers are now pivoting away from gaming markets to serve the booming AI industry. If this trend continues, console makers will face significant pressure to secure essential components.
2027 Launch Window in Jeopardy
According to a report from Insider Gaming, console manufacturers are currently debating delays for their next-gen platforms. Leaks previously suggested that both the Next-Gen Xbox and PS6 were targeting a 2027 launch window.
However, companies like Sony and Microsoft rely on the same few chip suppliers as the PC market. With limited manufacturing capacity going toward AI applications, sticking to a 2027 release could force these companies to drastically raise console prices.
Sales Slumps & Future Uncertainty
A recent report from Micron suggests the RAM shortage could persist beyond 2026. Building new cleanrooms to boost production takes time, meaning relief is not arriving soon.
This creates a financial dilemma. Video game hardware sales hit a 30-year low in November 2025, despite the success of the Switch 2. Consumer spending is down. Therefore, passing high RAM costs onto gamers could hurt sales even further.
Currently, neither Sony nor Microsoft has officially commented on the situation. However, a delay seems increasingly likely as they wait for market conditions to stabilise.
