A major retailer has warned there will be console shortages ahead of the launch of GTA 6 in November, sparking concern that scalpers will cash in on demand for PS5 and Xbox Series X and S this Christmas.
GTA 6 is due out on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S only, which means that if you must have a current generation console from either Sony or Microsoft to play the game. Given Rockstar’s hotly anticipated open world adventure is expected to be the biggest entertainment launch of all time, consumer interest in buying a new console is expected to skyrocket.
That would normally be fantastic news for Sony and Microsoft, but according to The Game Business, retailers are worried they may not be able to capitalize on the demand. According to the site, a “major” games retailer warned there won’t be enough consoles to meet demand over the crucial holiday period.
“We’ve been informed that because of the ongoing issues around hardware component availability, we won’t be getting the units we want ahead of GTA,” the anonymous source said, adding: “Demand will likely outstrip supply during the year end period.”
Both Sony and Microsoft have raised the price of their consoles this year, although the latest price hike from Microsoft doesn’t kick in until August 1. Some are worried Sony may announce yet another PS5 price rise before the year is out (the last price rise, effective from April, sparked a sales collapse in the U.S.). Currently, the PS5 costs $649.99, the PS5 Digital Edition costs $599.99, and the PS5 Pro costs $899.99.
Xbox console price rises effective August 1, 2026:
- Xbox Series S 512GB: $399.99 —> $499.99
- Xbox Series S 1TB: $449.99 —> $599.99
- Xbox Series X 1TB Digital: $599.99 —> $749.99
- Xbox Series X 1TB: $649.99 —> $799.99
The price rises are the direct result of the “RAMpocalypse,” which is an ongoing global memory shortage and price crisis driven by semiconductor manufacturers reallocating their DRAM and NAND production capacity to high-margin hardware for AI data centers.
“Last October, we increased Xbox console price by $20-$70 in the U.S.” Microsoft said when it announced Xbox price rises this week. “We hoped another price increase would not be necessary, and we have spent the last several months working with suppliers on options. Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027.
“The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis, but the effects are particularly hard on consoles. Unlike phones, computers, speakers, and other consumer devices, consoles are typically not sold at a profit, but instead for less than they cost to make.”
Microsoft executives have insisted demand for Xbox consoles exceeds supply, and that it is struggling to improve the situation. What does this mean for you? Well, if you want to play GTA 6 at launch and you need to buy a current-gen console, doing so sooner rather than later is probably wise. As I’ve mentioned, Xbox Series X and S get more expensive from August, and who knows what Sony will do with the price of PS5?
Not only that, but both console offerings may sell out because of the GTA 6 demand, which could open the door to scalpers cashing in. The last thing anyone needs is to be faced with the prospect of paying $1,500 dollars for an Xbox Series X from eBay just to play GTA 6. I dread to think how much scalpers will list a PS5 Pro for this Christmas if it sells out.
for all the latest, check out our ongoing GTA 6 live report, where we have a steady stream of updates on the game.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
