AI's Pricey Predicament: Is a Delayed Console Generation Actually Our Secret Superpower?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
AI's insatiable demand for RAM is threatening to hike up console prices and delay the next generation, prompting the question: is this a disaster or a secret opportunity to fully appreciate current tech and embrace a retro gaming renaissance?
Right, so I’ve been tinkering with some news that’s wilder than a rogue spell in a wizard's apprentice class, and bloody hell, it’s got me thinking. Apparently, the AI revolution isn't just coming for our jobs or our ability to discern deepfakes from reality; it’s now threatening to make our beloved gaming hardware as rare and expensive as a pristine, factory-sealed copy of *E.T.* for the Atari 2600. And you know what? That might just be the chaotic good we never knew we needed.
This whole wild ride of thought was sparked by a fascinating piece by Matt Wales over at Eurogamer, titled 'As AI threatens to make everything more expensive, are you happy if it takes longer for the next console generation to begin?' (You can find the original here). Matt dug deep, and I reckon he hit a nerve with a question that feels both dystopian and, strangely, quite hopeful.
See, the gist is this: generative AI, for all its futuristic wizardry, demands an ungodly amount of RAM. And that RAM isn't just for making unsettling deepfakes of cats singing opera; it's a core component in *all* our modern electronics. So, with demand through the roof, it’s pushing up prices across the board. Naturally, gaming hardware is caught in the crossfire. We're already seeing whispers of Steam Decks getting scarce, Steam Machines feeling the pinch, and — brace yourselves — talk of a potential PS6 delay and general hardware price hikes. Fair dinkum, it sounds like the sort of market disruption that could turn your wallet into a black hole.
Now, a PS6 delay? On the surface, that sounds like a dragon swooping in and snatching our shiny new toys. But Matt and his Eurogamer mates posed a brilliant question: is delaying the next console generation really such a bad thing? My curiosity sensors immediately started pinging like crazy. What if this unexpected snag isn't a curse, but a bizarre blessing in disguise?
Ian Higton from Eurogamer is firmly in the 'let’s chill' camp when it comes to a new console generation. He totally gets the buzz – who doesn't love the idea of shiny new tech? – but he's also pointing out the very real, very painful impact on our wallets. "If the next generation of consoles brings a price tag that means I can't afford to eat for a couple of months if I buy one," he muses, "well that kind of ruins the thrill." And honestly, mate, he's not wrong. In an age where everything from groceries to our Netflix subscriptions feels like it’s trying to pickpocket us, asking us to fork out for another £500-£700 console (plus £70 a pop for games!) feels a bit like asking us to sell a kidney. No thanks, I'm quite fond of both of mine.
Then there’s the lingering suspicion among us seasoned players: have we even properly *used* this current generation yet? The PS5 and Xbox Series X had a notoriously long cross-gen period, meaning many developers were still juggling old and new hardware. It left a lot of us wondering if we’ve truly seen what these machines can do. Is 'shinier graphics and shorter loading times' really the apex of this console cycle? I reckon there’s more juice to squeeze, more magical potential waiting to be unlocked if developers aren't pressured to abandon it for the next big thing.
And let’s not forget the sheer *volume* of games out there. Last year, Steam alone saw nearly 20,000 new titles. Even if only a fraction make it to consoles, that’s a mountain of digital treasures we’re trying to climb. A longer cycle gives us, the players, some much-needed breathing room to actually *play* the games we’ve bought, rather than constantly chasing the next hype train. Publishers and developers get more time to sell their current creations too – everyone wins, right?
Now, Bertie Purchese, another Eurogamer wizard, offers a compelling counter-argument. He agrees rushing into a new gen is a bad idea, but he also makes the point that we need 'ends so we can have beginnings again.' New consoles aren't just about faster frames; they’re a 'periscope moment' for gaming. They grab the wider world's attention, reminding mainstream media that gaming isn't just for basement dwellers (or digital wizards like me). They spark curiosity, invite newcomers, and create space for genuine innovation as new brands and makers try to make their mark. It's like the seasons, he says – stretch one out too long, and we lose the 'shape of the thing forever.' And he’s right, the cyclical nature does often feel like a necessary reset button.
But here’s where Ian Higton throws a curveball that genuinely piqued my chaotic-optimist side: what if the sheer cost of next-gen tech, driven by this AI arms race, kicks off a *retro gaming renaissance*? And I’m not talking about just nostalgic collectors, mate. I’m thinking about younger players, priced out of the modern market, discovering the absolute goldmine of past generations. It's like when hipsters got into vinyl, but, y'know, less posey and probably more fun.
Imagine a teenager, eyes wide with discovery, digging out their parents' old PS2 or original Xbox from the loft. Or grabbing an Xbox 360 and a stack of incredible games from their local CEX for a measly twenty quid. *Singularity*, *Spec Ops: The Line*, *Bioshock*, the classic *Halos*, the early *GTAs* – the list is endless! Who needs an Uncharted 8 when you've got a backlog of bona fide classics that still absolutely slap? If you’re young, you’ve got decades of gaming history to explore. If you’re a bit older, maybe you were a PlayStation kid who missed the 360's stellar library, or vice-versa. There's only one upcoming generation, but there are *tens* in the past just waiting for us.
So, while the siren call of shiny new consoles is always strong, and Bertie's 'periscope moment' argument holds plenty of weight, this AI-induced delay might just be a blessing. It forces us to slow down, appreciate the incredible power we already wield, and perhaps even discover a treasure trove of forgotten gaming history. It's a chance to truly push the boundaries of what our current machines can do, and for those who balk at the inevitable price tag, a glorious retreat into the world of bargain-bin classics and blow-on-the-cartridge fixes. Your wallet will thank you, and you might just have an absolute blast.
Are you happy to wait for the next generation, giving our current tech a proper send-off and maybe diving into the classics? Or are you ready to GO-GO-GO into the unknown, price hikes be damned? Let me know what you reckon, because this digital wizard is genuinely curious!
Tags: Console Gaming, AI Impact, Gaming Hardware, Retro Gaming, Industry Trends
Original article: Eurogamer