AI Chip Shortage Prompts Possible PlayStation 6 Delay to 2029

Sony is reportedly considering delaying the launch of its next-generation PlayStation 6 console until 2028 or 2029 as a global shortage of memory chips—catalysed by soaring demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure—disrupts the video game industry. According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the situation marks an unprecedented hardware supply challenge, with widespread implications for console makers and consumers alike.

The shortage is driven by the prioritisation of AI-related processors by major chip manufacturers such as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron. These companies, traditionally major suppliers for consumer electronics, are now dedicating much of their production capacity to higher-margin AI memory chips used in data centres and advanced computing. In January, Micron's business chief Sumit Sadana indicated that the company is already sold out of memory chips for 2026, with forecasts suggesting that data centres may account for 70 percent of global memory consumption this year.

Should the PlayStation 6 face a delay until 2029, this would represent the longest gap between console generations in Sony’s history, nearly a decade after the PlayStation 5's launch in November 2020. Such a move could alter long-standing strategies for maintaining user engagement and market momentum between generational hardware updates.

The AI chip shortage is driven in large part by enormous investment in data infrastructure by companies including Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft, with capital expenditures on AI infrastructure projected to reach $650 billion in 2026. This shift has decreased the availability of components traditionally allocated to consumer electronics, including gaming consoles. Executives at Apple and Tesla have also warned that the supply crunch could impact their profitability.

Other gaming firms are experiencing similar constraints. Nintendo, which launched the Switch 2 in June 2025 at a retail price of $449, is considering a price increase for the console as the cost of memory components has soared by 41 percent above initial estimates. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa recently acknowledged the volatility of the memory market, noting that while there is no immediate effect on company earnings, the situation requires close monitoring.

Analyst firm Niko Partners suggests Nintendo might discontinue its standalone $449 offering in favour of bundled options at $499 or higher, reflecting upstream cost pressures. Requests for comment from both Sony and Nintendo were not answered, according to reporting by Bloomberg.

The current scenario highlights a major shift in semiconductor supply priorities, as AI workloads command premium pricing, diverting resources from other sectors. For the gaming industry, this trend suggests longer console life cycles and increased costs being passed to consumers, forcing companies and players to adjust expectations regarding new hardware releases.

Reference: dataconomy.com