Weekly Wrap: Key Gaming Industry Updates to Close the Week

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.