No console-flation: how the thirst for AI chips is sending games console prices soaring

Video game consoles like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 are becoming more expensive because AI datacentres are competing for the same computer chips and memory that consoles need. The demand for semiconductors (the tiny electronic components that power devices) has skyrocketed, especially after OpenAI made a deal to buy a huge portion of DRAM (the type of memory that stores data temporarily) from major manufacturers, causing prices to jump by as much as 200% and leaving console makers with fewer affordable options.