GPU prices are set to skyrocket due to increased demand from AI data centers, with Nvidia’s RTX 5090 potentially rising from $2,000 to $5,000, making high-end graphics cards less accessible for gamers. Meanwhile, major security breaches on the PS5, struggles with games like Splitgate 2 and Rainbow Six Siege, and developments in indie game updates and preservation efforts highlight the mixed landscape of the gaming industry.
In this week’s gaming news roundup, Levelcap highlights the looming surge in GPU prices driven by Nvidia and AMD’s response to skyrocketing demand from AI data centers. Starting this month for AMD and next month for Nvidia, GPU costs are expected to increase significantly, with Nvidia’s RTX 5090 potentially jumping from $2,000 to $5,000. This price hike threatens to put high-end graphics cards further out of reach for average gamers, intensifying the challenges faced by PC hardware enthusiasts in 2025.
A major security breach has been discovered on the PlayStation 5, where the console’s ROM keys, which control software authorization, have been permanently exposed. This fundamental security break opens the door for custom firmware, homebrew applications, and potentially widespread unauthorized game software, although immediate piracy is not guaranteed. While Sony could patch this in future hardware revisions, millions of existing PS5 consoles remain vulnerable, posing long-term implications for the platform’s security and software ecosystem.
The live service shooter Splitgate 2 is struggling to recover after a failed relaunch as Splitgate Arena Reloaded. Changes to the original gameplay formula, including the addition of hero characters and battle royale modes, combined with controversial monetization, led to an 80% drop in players shortly after launch. Despite a full relaunch and two rounds of layoffs, the player base has dwindled to under 400 concurrent users, casting doubt on the game’s viability as a live service title moving forward.
Rainbow Six Siege continues to grapple with the fallout from a severe hack that gave attackers control over the game’s economy and player accounts. Ubisoft was forced to take servers offline and roll back accounts, but the underlying exploit remains unresolved, leaving key features like authentication and matchmaking disabled or unreliable. The timeline for a full recovery remains uncertain, further complicating the game’s stability and player trust.
On a brighter note, indie developers and game preservation efforts are seeing positive developments. New Blood Interactive released major updates for immersive sim FPS titles like Gloomwood and Fallen Aces, introducing new content and mechanics. Steam’s holiday top sellers included the successful Ark Raiders, which has retained a robust player base. Additionally, CD Projekt Red sold GOG.com to focus the platform on game preservation and DRM-free classics, while Tabletop Simulator’s upcoming update introduces a creator marketplace, raising potential legal challenges for paid mods. Meanwhile, Anthem’s servers are set to shut down, highlighting ongoing issues with preserving online-only game legacies.