--- title: "Weekly Wrap: Key Gaming Industry Updates to Close the Week" description: "Video game industry update: Nintendo financial growth, PlayStation State of Play highlights, Xbox leadership shift, and console hardware developments." image: https://blog.sparkers.com/hubfs/Blog_thumbnail-colors.png --- [![sparkers - your entertainment data companion](https://blog.sparkers.com/hubfs/web/session-sparkers2021/assets/img/logo.svg)](https://www.sparkers.com) - [Services](https://www.sparkers.com/services/market-insights/) - [Market Insights](https://www.sparkers.com/services/market-insights/) - [Cockpit](https://www.sparkers.com/services/cockpits/) - [Audiences Insights](https://www.sparkers.com/domains/audiences/) - [Advisory](https://www.sparkers.com/services/advisory/) - [GSD](https://www.sparkers.com/domains/gaming/) - [Blog](https://blog.sparkers.com/) - [People](https://www.sparkers.com/about/) - [About](https://www.sparkers.com/about/) - [Jobs](https://apply.workable.com/sparkers/) [Contact](https://www.sparkers.com/contact';%20?%3E) [News](https://blog.sparkers.com/tag/news) # Weekly Wrap: Key Gaming Industry Updates to Close the Week Friday, 17 April 2026 [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.sparkers.com/news-weeks13-15-2026) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.sparkers.com/news-weeks13-15-2026) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.sparkers.com/news-weeks13-15-2026)        | ![micro 4](https://blog.sparkers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/News%20Mash-up/micro%204.png?width=134&name=micro%204.png)   | ## **    Top News Items** **           Industry News   - April, 2026** **                             Weeks 13-15, 2026 ** | | --- | --- | |   |   | ## Video Game Industry Update: Weeks 13–15, 2026 The period from March 22 to April 11, 2026 includes updates across console pricing, hardware production planning, platform showcases, PC component pricing, subscription models, and policy decisions affecting the video game market. ## Console Pricing Updates Across Major Platforms Sony increased the price of the PlayStation 5 to **$650**, compared to **$500 at launch** and **$550 one year earlier**. The **PS5 Pro** is priced at **$900**, compared to **$700 at launch** and **$750 previously**. The **PlayStation Portal** price increased from **$200 to $250**. The PlayStation 5 install base is reported at **just under 80 million units**. ## Nintendo Revises Switch 2 Production Forecast Nintendo revised its **Switch 2 production forecast** from **6 million to 4 million units for Q2 2026**. Switch 2 reached **17 million units sold by the end of 2025**. The original Switch sold **14.9 million units** during its first nine months. Nintendo also stated that later this year some **physical Switch 2 games published by Nintendo will be priced above their digital counterparts**. ## Xbox Partner Preview and Platform Updates Microsoft held an **Xbox Partner Preview in March 2026**, presenting **19 third-party games**. The event recorded **over 500,000 views** and **21,000 upvotes**. Titles presented included: The Eternal Life of Goldman Alien Deathstorm Stranger Than Heaven The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Separately, **Xbox Mode** is now rolling out, and console players will begin to see their **cloud save sync status**. ## PC Hardware and Consumer Preference Signals DDR5 RAM prices decreased across regions: - **-20%** for a 32GB kit in the United States - **-30%** for 16GB modules in China - **-7%** in Germany during March A survey of more than **4,000 respondents** reported: - **71%** would not use DLSS 5 AI features - **9%** would use them in certain cases - **10%** would use them if visual quality improved DLSS 5 support is limited to Nvidia RTX 5000 series graphics cards. ## Platform Distribution and Policy Changes Amazon is restructuring **Luna** by removing **Bring Your Own Library**, third-party subscription channels, and third-party game store integrations. Purchased games will remain available until **June 10**. The service will continue with free games through Amazon Prime and a rotating catalog under a **$10 per month subscription**. In the United States, the **USPTO rejected all 26 claims** in Nintendo’s patent application related to monster capturing and throwing mechanics. Capcom stated that it will **not implement generative AI assets** in its games. The FTC stated that payment processors cannot deny video game payments based on political or religious views. ## Conclusion The period includes updates in console pricing, production planning, platform showcases, hardware components, subscription models, and policy decisions across the video game market. ✨**Looking for a clear view of how hardware and platform trends are evolving ahead of 2026?**✨ Our role is to deliver neutral, data-driven weekly updates on how the market is shifting — from Valve’s latest hardware developments to the ongoing adjustments in content strategies, publishing policies and platform infrastructure across the industry. We provide region-specific global sales data and audience insights, helping you track performance patterns and build your next steps on facts, not assumptions. ![REQUEST MORE INFO](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9202783/interactive-190360100865.png) [![sparkers - your entertainment data companion](https://blog.sparkers.com/hubfs/web/session-sparkers2021/assets/img/logo-dark.svg)](https://www.sparkers.com) **Services** - [Market Insights](https://www.sparkers.com/services/market-insights/) - [Sales Insights](https://www.sparkers.com/services/cockpits/) - [Audiences Insights](https://www.sparkers.com/domains/audiences//) - [Advisory](http://www.sparkers.io/services/advisory/) [**GSD**](https://www.sparkers.com/domains/gaming/) [**Blog**](https://blog.hubspot.com) **People** - [About](https://www.sparkers.com/about/) - [Jobs](https://apply.workable.com/sparkers/) [contact](https://www.sparkers.com/contact/) --- - ©2021 Sparkers - [Privacy Policy](https://www.sparkers.com/privacy-policy/) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.sparkers.com/cookie-policy/) - [![](https://blog.sparkers.com/hubfs/web/session-sparkers2021/assets/img/icon-linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/sparkers)