Steam Deck Affected by Shortages
More
17 February 2026 13:30
TL;DR
- Steam Deck OLED faces intermittent stock shortages in regions due to RAM crisis.
- Valve delays new hardware launches like Steam Machine into 2026 cautiously.
- Sony eyes PS6 delay to 2028-2029; Nintendo may raise Switch 2 price soon.
The ongoing global shortage of RAM and storage components, largely driven by massive demand from AI data centers, is hitting the gaming industry hard right now. Valve has officially confirmed that its popular Steam Deck OLED handheld may face intermittent stock shortages in certain regions. This comes after the device was reported out of stock in places like the US and Japan, with the company adding a clear note directly to its Steam store page.
Valve explained that "Steam Deck OLED may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages." They also reminded buyers that the older 256GB LCD model is no longer being produced and won't return once current inventory sells out. This update follows Valve's earlier decision this month to push back the launch timeline for its upcoming hardware lineup, including the new Steam Machine PC, Steam Frame VR headset, and a revised Steam controller. The company still plans to ship these in the first half of 2026 but remains cautious about final pricing and consistent availability because of the component crunch.
This isn't just a Valve problem — the memory crisis is rippling across the entire gaming hardware space. A recent Bloomberg report highlighted how Sony is reportedly weighing a delay for the PlayStation 6, potentially shifting its launch from an expected 2027 window all the way to 2028 or even 2029. That kind of extension would disrupt Sony's usual console cycle and leave a longer gap after the PS5 (which arrived in late 2020).Nintendo is facing similar pressures with its Switch 2. President Shuntaro Furukawa recently commented on the situation during financial discussions, noting that rising memory costs could squeeze profitability if they persist longer than anticipated. He said any pricing decisions would consider factors like overall sales momentum, the installed user base, and broader market conditions — not just short-term component expenses. While Nintendo has so far held firm on the Switch 2's launch pricing (around $450 in many markets), reports suggest the company is contemplating a potential increase later in 2026 to offset ongoing supply challenges.
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17 February 2026 13:30
TL;DR
- Steam Deck OLED faces intermittent stock shortages in regions due to RAM crisis.
- Valve delays new hardware launches like Steam Machine into 2026 cautiously.
- Sony eyes PS6 delay to 2028-2029; Nintendo may raise Switch 2 price soon.
The ongoing global shortage of RAM and storage components, largely driven by massive demand from AI data centers, is hitting the gaming industry hard right now. Valve has officially confirmed that its popular Steam Deck OLED handheld may face intermittent stock shortages in certain regions. This comes after the device was reported out of stock in places like the US and Japan, with the company adding a clear note directly to its Steam store page.
Valve explained that "Steam Deck OLED may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages." They also reminded buyers that the older 256GB LCD model is no longer being produced and won't return once current inventory sells out. This update follows Valve's earlier decision this month to push back the launch timeline for its upcoming hardware lineup, including the new Steam Machine PC, Steam Frame VR headset, and a revised Steam controller. The company still plans to ship these in the first half of 2026 but remains cautious about final pricing and consistent availability because of the component crunch.
This isn't just a Valve problem — the memory crisis is rippling across the entire gaming hardware space. A recent Bloomberg report highlighted how Sony is reportedly weighing a delay for the PlayStation 6, potentially shifting its launch from an expected 2027 window all the way to 2028 or even 2029. That kind of extension would disrupt Sony's usual console cycle and leave a longer gap after the PS5 (which arrived in late 2020).Nintendo is facing similar pressures with its Switch 2. President Shuntaro Furukawa recently commented on the situation during financial discussions, noting that rising memory costs could squeeze profitability if they persist longer than anticipated. He said any pricing decisions would consider factors like overall sales momentum, the installed user base, and broader market conditions — not just short-term component expenses. While Nintendo has so far held firm on the Switch 2's launch pricing (around $450 in many markets), reports suggest the company is contemplating a potential increase later in 2026 to offset ongoing supply challenges.
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