Sony’s latest price hikes for the PS5 signal that this console generation could last longer than expected. Historically, hardware sees significant discounts by now, but memory and storage shortages mean the opposite is happening. The lack of new hardware until at least 2028 might give gamers more time to explore what we already have.

The leap from PS4 to PS5 was less about groundbreaking features and more about solid state storage for faster load times. With this generation’s unusual trajectory, we may be in an era where the next console feels like a distant memory rather than an urgent upgrade.

Generational abnormalities aside, increased prices across gaming hardware are a reflection of economic pressures. Valve’s Steam Deck is also affected, with its cheaper model no longer being produced due to component shortages. This could mean fewer options for budget-conscious gamers in the near future.

The current console generation has been atypical from the start: launched during a pandemic when tech was in high demand elsewhere. This scarcity drove prices up and may now be pushing us into a period where players stick with what they have, rather than rushing to the next big thing.