Because of the memory crisis, games may become simpler and more accessible: Developers call for optimization

At Game Developers Conference 2026 (GDC 2026), one of the hottest behind-the-scenes topics was the global shortage of DRAM and NAND flash memory caused by the AI and data center boom. According to Polygon, the industry seriously believes the situation is unlikely to improve over the next two years, and it is already affecting game development, console release timelines, and players’ budgets.

The memory shortage is changing the rules of the game

Rising prices for DRAM and NAND—memory modules in 2026 cost 2–3 times more than in 2024—are making PC upgrades and new console purchases significantly more expensive. As a result, part of the money people previously spent on games is now going toward hardware instead.

This is particularly painful in the mid-range and budget segments, where users are already reluctant to upgrade their systems.

Developers fear that this situation could slow the growth of the user base for next-generation consoles. According to preliminary estimates, PlayStation 6 from Sony will not appear before 2029. The company clearly does not want to launch an expensive console during a component shortage.

Meanwhile, Microsoft plans to show developers an early version of Xbox Project Helix in 2027, but the final console could cost more than $1000. At that price, adoption would likely grow slowly, which could threaten game sales on the new platform.

Optimization instead of the graphics arms race

Under these conditions, developers increasingly say it’s time to stop chasing ultra-realistic textures and 8K ray tracing and focus on optimization, particularly in terms of RAM usage. Many studios have already begun reconsidering their approach.

A clear example is the recently announced Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. Its developers officially reduced the recommended RAM requirement from 32 GB to 16 GB, explaining that the decision was made to make the game accessible to a larger audience. Similar discussions are already happening in other major projects.

“Noticeable progress in visual effects is becoming smaller, while optimization can dramatically expand the potential audience,” experts at Game Developers Conference 2026 note.

Platforms with relatively modest hardware will benefit the most—especially Nintendo Switch and its successors. Good optimization could allow modern games to run on portable consoles without major compromises.

What players may see in the coming years

If the trend continues, the industry could see:

• fewer games with extremely high system requirements, especially regarding RAM
• more projects optimized around 16 GB as the recommended standard
• a possible return to stylized graphics (as in Hi‑Fi Rush or Hades II), focusing on art style rather than photorealism
• slower releases of new console generations and a more cautious approach to pricing

For many players, this could actually be good news: games may run better on older hardware, and developers may stop sacrificing gameplay just to produce “even more realistic shadows.”

In brief

At Game Developers Conference 2026, developers widely discussed the global memory crisis: shortages of DRAM and NAND are expected to last about two more years. This could push the release of PlayStation 6 to 2029 or later and raise the price of Xbox Project Helix above $1000.

As a result, the industry is calling for a shift away from the graphics arms race toward better optimization, especially for RAM usage. For example, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight has already lowered its recommended RAM requirement from 32 GB to 16 GB, a move that could make games more accessible and benefit platforms like Nintendo Switch.