Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney says artificial intelligence investments RAM crisis could last at least three more years he said. Sweeney noted that data centers can pay higher prices than entertainment companies for component manufacturing capacity. He stated that this race has quadrupled RAM and storage prices, and the increase is not over yet. The statement directly concerns users who plan to buy a new computer or gaming system.
Sweeney shared his assessment in Edge magazine’s dossier addressing the economic difficulties in the gaming industry. According to the published interview summary, data center companies have reached the economic power to purchase most of the global component supply. Epic Games manager thinks that the game industry is left behind in the hardware race for this reason. New production facilities could alleviate the capacity problem, but it takes years for factories to be established and put into full production.
Market data shows that this warning is not just a single executive’s opinion. TrendForce forecasts traditional DRAM contract prices on a quarterly basis in the third quarter of 2026 13 to 18 percent is expected to increase. The research company said that NAND Flash prices 10 to 15 percent It predicts an increase in . Supply in the PC and phone markets remains tighter as manufacturers prioritize AI servers.
Rising memory costs impact gaming hardware
The first concrete effects on the gaming side are seen in product calendars and price calculations. Valve has previously confirmed that it is re-evaluating the Steam Machine schedule due to RAM and storage costs. Manufacturers of ready-made computers, handheld consoles and desktop systems that use the same components also face cost increases. Therefore, manufacturers may reduce memory capacity, postpone the release date or set higher prices.
Sweeney says the industry needs large-scale new factories as a solution. However, existing facilities cannot convert production distribution into consumer products in a short time. The three-year forecast is not a definitive timetable but reflects Sweeney’s forecast based on current investment and capacity data. TrendForce reports that the weakening in consumer demand may reduce the rate of increase, but supply pressure continues.
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