What a strange time to witness the state of video gaming as it currently stands.

I thought 2020 was an odd time with the release of the new consoles but here we are six years later and I’d have never believed you could tell me that those same consoles will be MORE expensive six years later – oh, and we’d have no idea of when the NEXT systems would be released.

That’s the kind of strangeness that I’m talking about. The questions of how we got here and why we got here are already answered. It’s the “when will this end” that we’re trying to figure out and “what’ll it cost”.

Of course, as it has been all year and a good chunk of last, AI is to blame. And those same questions before about the consoles apply to AI. When will it end and what will it have cost us when it does?

Because a price will be paid, in some form or another, for all of this AI stuff.
I mean, we’re currently paying it in the form of the price of RAM and other PC components. And our console price increases, again, SIX years into this generation.

The outlook is bleak.

About as bleak as waiting for a new Splinter Cell game.

Ubisoft, it’s been 4,647 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

Also, there’s been 3,300 job losses in the gaming industry since January 1, 2026.