RAM shortage shoves PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo's US sales "to a July low not seen since 2020" as price concerns linger, analyst says

gamesradar.com Aug 20, 2026

RAM shortage shoves PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo’s US sales “to a July low not seen since 2020” as price concerns linger, analyst says

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 20, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

In July 2026, U.S. console hardware sales fell to a low not seen since 2020, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. The decline mirrors the 2025 launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and is driven by a global RAM shortage that has pushed component prices higher. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series sales suffered, with Xbox reporting a $1.6 billion loss last fiscal year and Sony noting PS5 lagging behind PS4. Average console prices rose 16%, while overall hardware spending dropped 39% from last July.

💡 Why It Matters

· The sustained RAM crunch signals a broader supply‑chain strain that could reshape console pricing strategies and delay new releases, affecting both manufacturers and consumers.

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No, The Duskbloods isn’t releasing on 24th September, according to Nintendo

Nintendo has clarified that The Duskbloods will not release on 24 September, a date mistakenly cited in an early preview. The erroneous date appeared at the end of The Guardian’s Tokyo trip coverage, while other outlets correctly noted a later‑this‑year launch. Eurogamer confirmed with Nintendo that no release date has been announced. The clarification follows a closed‑network test scheduled for the weekend and a brief leak of gameplay footage on Bilibili. Nintendo’s spokesperson emphasized the absence of official release information.

💡 The correction prevents fan confusion and potential premature sales expectations. It underscores Nintendo’s control over release timelines amid growing speculation.

windowscentral.com · Aug 20

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Low-Profile TKL 8KHz Review: The thin green line…

Daniel Rubino, Editor‑in‑Chief of Windows Central, has chronicled Microsoft since 2007, guiding the site through multiple rebrandings. He assumed editorial leadership in 2010, stepped to executive editor in 2020, and returned to the chief role in 2022. Rubino also manages staff, directs content, and hosts a YouTube channel and a podcast. Prior to tech journalism, he worked as a polysomnographer, movie‑theater projectionist, EMT, and pursued a Ph.D. in neurolinguistics, and contributed to industry analysis across multiple platforms for tech enthusiasts.

💡 Rubino’s blend of medical, linguistic, and entertainment experience gives Windows Central a unique lens on how technology shapes everyday life.

ign.com · Aug 20

Halo: Reach Designer Reveals that Modern Warfare Series Were a ‘Huge’ Inspiration…

Halo: Reach campaign designer Niles Sankey confirmed on Twitter that the first two Modern Warfare titles heavily inspired Bungie’s final Halo installment. He cited specific elements such as the “Nobel team” squad dynamics and the “Objective Survive” sequence, which was “spiritually inspired” by Call of Duty 4’s nuke scene, and explained that while Halo excelled in AI and vehicle design, Infinity Ward excelled in pacing and set‑piece storytelling. Sankey said the team deliberately borrowed those strengths to push the Reach experience “one step further.” The revelation underscores the cross‑pollination between two rival franchises during the mid‑2000s, a period when Infinity Ward even prototyped a “Halo Killer” sci‑fi shooter to challenge Bungie’s dominance.

💡 It shows that even fierce competitors share design DNA, reshaping how iconic shooters evolve.

gamesradar.com · Aug 20

EA could sell “dormant IPs” like Ultima and Wing Commander after Saudi…

EA’s recent $20 billion Saudi-backed acquisition has prompted speculation that the studio’s dormant franchises—such as Ultima and Wing Commander—could be sold or licensed to external developers. Former EA executive Emmanuel Rosier, now at Newzoo, noted that these long‑unreleased IPs represent potential quick revenue sources amid expected layoffs and debt reduction. He cautioned that reviving such legacy titles would face approval hurdles from both EA and the new ownership, though mobile adaptations were mentioned as a possible route.

💡 The sale or licensing of iconic IPs could reshape the gaming landscape, offering smaller studios fresh content while providing EA a financial lifeline in a debt‑heavy transition.

playstationlifestyle.net · Aug 20

Acclaimed PlayStation 5 RPG Out Today on PlayStation Store

Developer Cold Symmetry has officially released Mortal Shell II on the PlayStation 5, marking the highly anticipated sequel to the original soulslike title. Arriving five years after its predecessor, the game introduces an expanded open world, improved combat mechanics, and additional character shells. Critics have responded positively, awarding the title a Metacritic score of 84 for both its PC and PS5 versions. Players assume the role of the Harbinger, tasked with reclaiming stolen eggs from the Undermether. The sequel removes the traditional stamina meter, emphasizing active shell-switching during combat to enhance strategic depth. Quality-of-life improvements aim to make the experience more accessible than the first game. Mortal Shell II is available in three editions: the base game at $49.99, the Devout Edition at $59.99, and a $10.99 upgrade for existing owners. The Devout Edition includes eight exclusive Obsidian Shell skins. User ratings on the PlayStation Store currently stand at 4.61 from over 4,500 reviews. The title is also live on PC and Xbox Series X|S platforms.

💡 The removal of the stamina meter fundamentally shifts the soulslike genre’s traditional risk-reward balance, prioritizing fluid shell-switching over resource management. This design choice distinguishes Mortal Shell II from competitors by offering a more accessible yet strategically deep combat loop.

eurogamer.net · Aug 20

Miyazaki suggests FromSoftware is keen to return to single-player games after The…

FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki clarified that the studio’s recent focus on multiplayer titles, including Elden Ring: Nightreign and the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods, was coincidental rather than a strategic pivot. Speaking to IGN, Miyazaki stated that while developing these games was enjoyable, the experience ultimately reinforced the team’s desire to return to single-player development. He described The Duskbloods as an outlet for ideas that did not fit within traditional single-player contexts, noting that Nintendo’s partnership helped improve player onboarding tutorials. Although Nightreign and The Duskbloods share a multiplayer focus, they were directed by different teams and lacked a unified long-term plan for concurrent release. Miyazaki emphasized that FromSoftware maintains a heavy focus on single-player content, with the current multiplayer projects serving as specific experiments. The Duskbloods network test runs from August 21 to 24, with a full release expected later this year, potentially competing with other major autumn launches.

💡 Miyazaki’s comments reassure fans that FromSoftware’s core identity remains rooted in single-player experiences, despite recent experimental forays into competitive multiplayer. This distinction clarifies that the studio views these titles as creative outlets rather than a permanent shift in design philosophy.