Gaming enthusiasts across the UK are being urged to make their hardware purchases during this year's Black Friday sales, as industry experts predict significant price increases across all gaming devices in 2026. The warning comes amid growing concerns about ongoing RAM shortages that threaten to make gaming an increasingly expensive hobby.
Hardware Price Crisis Looms
One reader, identifying as Golem, expressed strong views in GameCentral's Wednesday letters page, stating that anyone considering buying a PlayStation 5 should act immediately during the current Black Friday promotions. The RAM shortage situation appears serious enough that another price rise next year seems almost inevitable according to industry observers.
The problem extends beyond just Sony's console. Gaming PCs and their components are also expected to face similar price pressures, though uncertainty remains about how Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 might be affected. What makes this situation particularly frustrating for consumers is that these price increases don't necessarily benefit the hardware manufacturers themselves, creating a scenario where nobody wins.
Xbox's Uncertain Future
Another reader, KGT, raised questions about the Xbox Series S's attractive Black Friday pricing, wondering whether consumers would still find value in Microsoft's console given the company's shifting strategy toward multiplatform releases. The sentiment reflects growing concerns about Xbox's future in the console market, with Microsoft increasingly focusing on Game Pass and releasing titles on competing platforms.
The discussion around Xbox's trajectory acknowledges that Microsoft took significant risks with Game Pass, though the service hasn't achieved the success many predicted. This has led to what some perceive as a sad end to the Xbox project, despite the company's innovative approaches to gaming subscription services.
Gaming Difficulty Debate Reignited
The letters page also featured familiar complaints about game difficulty, with reader John expressing frustration about being stuck on The Last Judge boss in Silksong. The player questioned whether developers should incorporate easier options for those who find themselves unable to progress, describing the experience as feeling like wasted money when a game becomes insurmountable.
GameCentral responded by noting that Silksong, much like the Dark Souls series, deliberately embraces challenging gameplay as part of its core identity. The publication reminded readers that the game's difficulty level is no secret, positioning it as part of a broader genre that makes a virtue of its difficulty.
Other topics discussed in the inbox included surprise at NieR:Automata's successful Switch port, reflections on the varied game library of the PlayStation 2 era, and observations about the Steam Deck's approaching price parity with the original Nintendo Switch. The ongoing conversation about gaming hardware affordability and accessibility shows no signs of slowing as the industry continues to evolve.
