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A shortage of high-purity carbon dioxide (CO2), a key material used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, is raising concerns about future chip production. CO2 is essential for cleaning semiconductor wafers by removing residues and contaminants during fabrication.

The supply decline is linked to reduced operating rates at South Korean oil refineries and petrochemical facilities, which produce raw CO2 as a by-product. Uncertainty in crude oil supply caused by ongoing tensions in the Middle East has further constrained production, limiting the ability of gas suppliers to increase output.

Major semiconductor manufacturers, including Samsung and SK Hynix, continue normal operations but have seen their CO2 inventories fall below previous levels. If shortages persist, advanced chip packaging production could be disrupted.

A prolonged reduction in CO2 supply may tighten the availability of advanced semiconductors, particularly for AI-related applications, potentially increasing chip prices and affecting the broader technology industry.

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▮[Source]: wccftech.com

South Korea has announced a long-term semiconductor expansion initiative led by Samsung and SK Hynix, with planned investments totaling approximately 1,350 trillion won (about $870 billion) over the next decade.

The initiative includes new semiconductor fabrication plants, AI data centers, memory production facilities, battery and display manufacturing, and advanced chipmaking equipment. The program is supported by the South Korean government to strengthen the country's competitiveness in the global semiconductor industry.

The plan aims to double DRAM production capacity within five years and expand NAND flash memory manufacturing to address growing demand driven by artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

Samsung and SK Hynix are expected to build four to five advanced fabrication plants in the Chungcheong region while accelerating construction timelines, bringing projects previously expected after 2040 forward to around 2033. The investment is intended to reinforce South Korea's position in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and global memory production.

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▮[Source]: wccftech.com

AMD EXPO ULL DDR5 memory kits for the AM5 platform have begun appearing at major retailers with significantly higher prices than standard AMD EXPO memory. Some 32 GB (2×16 GB) kits are listed between $549 and $1,099, while comparable standard EXPO versions are available for hundreds of dollars less.

The largest price differences are found in models with tighter memory timings, where EXPO ULL variants can cost up to approximately $500 more than equivalent standard kits.

EXPO ULL memory is designed to operate at lower voltages, improving power efficiency, reducing heat output, providing greater overclocking headroom, and offering enhanced factory tuning for performance.

Despite these technical improvements, the substantial price premium has raised concerns about overall value, as the performance benefits may not justify the significantly higher cost compared with standard EXPO memory kits.

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▮[Source]: wccftech.com

AMD has reportedly informed its board partners that Radeon GPU and memory bundles will see a 10% price increase due to rising GPU and memory costs. The adjustment is expected to take effect during July and primarily affects the Radeon RX 9000 series.

Major board partners, including ASUS, XFX, and Sapphire, have reportedly received advance notice of the higher pricing. The increase follows earlier reports suggesting additional price adjustments for AMD graphics products during the second half of the year.

It remains uncertain whether board partners will absorb the higher costs or pass them on to consumers. If the increase is transferred to retail pricing, Radeon graphics cards are expected to become more expensive.

The report does not indicate any similar price changes for NVIDIA graphics cards, although continued increases in VRAM costs could influence future market pricing.

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▮[Source]: wccftech.com

Rockstar Games has expanded its marketing partnership with Sony by promoting Grand Theft Auto VI as a title that "plays best on PS5." The slogan appears in Rockstar's promotional materials, social media posts, and specific versions of the game's official website, reinforcing PlayStation branding for pre-orders.

The campaign highlights features such as DualSense haptic feedback and 3D audio, although no major gameplay or performance differences between the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions have been confirmed.

The marketing initiative is expected to strengthen the game's visibility among PlayStation users. Reports indicate that the PlayStation 5 version has become the top-selling title on the PlayStation Store, with pre-order figures significantly exceeding those of the Xbox version.

Despite the promotional campaign, expectations remain that the game will run at 30 frames per second on all current PlayStation 5 models.

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▮[Source]: pushsquare.com

Microsoft is reportedly considering canceling Marvel’s Blade and closing developer Arkane Studios as part of a broader restructuring of its gaming business. The reported measures may also affect Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs through closures, sales, or spin-offs.

The restructuring is expected to include significant workforce reductions, with reports indicating approximately 1,000 layoffs across Microsoft’s gaming division, excluding employees at the studios under review. Additional details are expected to emerge in early July.

Reports also state that Marvel’s Blade has faced development delays and budget challenges. Although the game was previously expected to launch sooner, it is now reportedly targeting a late 2027 release if development continues.

Neither Microsoft nor Bethesda has officially confirmed the reported plans or the future of the affected studios and projects.

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▮[Source]: pushsquare.com

IO Interactive announced layoffs after ending its partnership with an external publisher for Project Fantasy, an original fantasy role-playing game. The studio stated that the change requires staffing reductions but affirmed its commitment to supporting affected employees during the transition.

Subsequent reports confirmed that Microsoft, through Xbox, had been funding the project before withdrawing its support. Microsoft stated that it is not reducing its overall investment in gaming but is adjusting where and how it allocates resources.

Despite the loss of publisher funding, IO Interactive confirmed that Project Fantasy remains in active development. The studio emphasized its long-term commitment to the game's universe and intends to continue the project independently.

The announcement comes amid broader restructuring and expected layoffs across Microsoft's gaming division, reflecting ongoing changes in investment priorities within the industry.

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▮[Source]: pushsquare.com

A class-action lawsuit has been filed in the United States against Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, alleging that the companies restricted DRAM supply to artificially increase memory prices. The case, filed on June 25, 2026, is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California under antitrust claims, with plaintiffs seeking financial compensation.

The lawsuit comes as DRAM prices have reached record highs amid persistent supply shortages and strong demand, particularly from the artificial intelligence sector. The manufacturers maintain that they are expanding production capacity through new fabrication facilities and production lines to improve supply.

The filing also references Samsung’s previous involvement in a 2005 U.S. price-fixing case related to DRAM sales between 1999 and 2002, although the current market conditions differ due to genuine supply constraints. Memory shortages and long-term supply agreements with major customers continue to limit availability for the broader consumer market, contributing to sustained high prices.

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▮[Source]: wccftech.com

Some Windows 10 users with AMD Radeon graphics cards are experiencing a driver-related issue that disables Smart Access Memory (SAM), reducing gaming performance and causing instability or crashes. The problem appears even when Resizable BAR and Above 4G Decoding remain correctly enabled in the system BIOS.

Reports indicate the issue may occur after reinstalling AMD graphics drivers, with Windows 10 failing to detect Radeon GPUs properly and AMD Adrenalin software disabling SAM. Persistent hardware change notifications also suggest a compatibility conflict between the driver and the operating system.

AMD is investigating the problem and developing a fix. Temporary workarounds reported by users include performing a clean driver installation with Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU), verifying the monitor refresh rate, re-enabling Variable Refresh Rate in Radeon software, or rebooting the system multiple times.

The issue follows previous Windows 10 compatibility problems that prompted AMD to release a recent preview driver update for affected Radeon RX 7000 series graphics cards.

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▮[Source]: wccftech.com

ZLUDA v6 has introduced experimental support for 32-bit NVIDIA PhysX on non-NVIDIA GPUs, allowing compatible AMD Radeon graphics cards to run older PhysX-enabled games with improved performance and visual effects.

In testing with Mafia II, performance increased from approximately 26 FPS to over 80 FPS, while advanced PhysX effects such as debris and flames were also enabled. Previously, similar results typically required a secondary GPU with PhysX support.

The release also includes improvements for Windows compatibility, enhanced machine learning support through compiler and performance library updates, and new texture support.

The implementation remains a work in progress, with known issues including fluid simulation glitches and limited compatibility when loading ZLUDA into some Steam games. Development of the open-source project is expected to continue, although future updates will be released less frequently as development shifts to a slower pace.

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▮[Source]: wccftech.com

The upcoming PlayStation 5 release schedule for 29 June to 5 July includes a small selection of new titles across multiple genres, ranging from action and puzzle games to narrative adventures and board game adaptations.

Notable releases include Clarity: The Seven Demons of Vanguardia, a side-scrolling action platformer; Momento, a narrative-driven room decoration game; Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, which combines classic Monopoly gameplay with locations and characters from the Star Wars universe; and YinYang Street Ultimate Edition, a mystery horror adventure set in the 1980s.

Additional releases include Sudoku: Master League, Hyperwired, a pixel-art roguelike shooter focused on energy management, and Scholar Adventure: Mystery of Silence, a story-driven mystery set in a secluded abbey.

Overall, the week features a modest lineup with a variety of genres but relatively few major blockbuster releases.

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▮[Source]: pushsquare.com

Rockstar Games’ premium edition of Grand Theft Auto 6 has sparked debate due to exclusive content being locked behind a higher-priced version of the game.

The Ultimate Edition includes access to exclusive in-game shops offering unique vehicle modifications, hairstyles, clothing, tattoos, weapons, and additional cosmetics. It also contains an exclusive mission with extra rewards. Players can upgrade to the Ultimate Edition after purchase if desired.

Critics argue that restricting gameplay features and locations behind a paid upgrade sets an unfavorable precedent and may encourage similar monetization practices across the industry. Others view the content as optional extras comparable to deluxe editions offered by many modern games and believe the standard edition still provides the core experience.

Community opinion remains divided, with some rejecting the pricing model while others consider the additional content optional and not essential to enjoying the game.

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▮[Source]: pushsquare.com

Memory shortages driven by strong AI server demand have significantly increased DRAM prices, making high-capacity memory modules less affordable and less available for consumer PCs. As a result, many systems now ship with lower memory capacities than previously considered standard.

In response to these market conditions, Goodram has introduced a new DDR4 memory lineup that includes 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB single-module capacities. The return of 4 GB DDR4 modules reflects supply constraints rather than renewed demand for low-capacity memory.

The modules operate at 3200 MT/s with CL16 or CL18 timings, require 1.2–1.35V, and feature black PCBs with red or green heat spreaders.

The release highlights the impact of ongoing DRAM supply limitations on the consumer PC market, where reduced availability and higher prices have made larger-capacity memory increasingly difficult to obtain.

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**▮[Source]**: *wccftech.com*

Memory shortages and sustained demand driven by artificial intelligence are expected to keep DRAM and NAND memory prices significantly higher through at least 2030. Major manufacturers, including Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix, have indicated that current production cannot fully meet demand, even for key customers.

Lenovo stated that although memory manufacturers are expanding production capacity and investing in new fabrication facilities, these efforts are unlikely to restore prices to the lower levels seen in early 2025. Higher memory costs are expected to become the long-term market standard.

As a result, consumers may face permanently higher prices for memory modules, SSDs, and devices that rely on them, including personal computers, gaming consoles, smartphones, and other electronics.

SK Hynix plans to accelerate capacity expansion and substantially increase memory output by 2030, but it remains uncertain whether future production growth will be sufficient to match rising global demand.

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▮[Source]: wccftech.com

Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on PlayStation 5 on 19 November 2026. Pre-orders for both digital and physical editions are scheduled to begin, with pre-loading available from 12 November 2026.

Rockstar Games has confirmed that the physical edition will not include a game disc. Instead, boxed copies will contain a redeemable download code for the digital version. Players purchasing either digital or physical editions will gain access to the game on the same release date, with no early-access period announced.

Two editions have been revealed: a Standard Edition and an Ultimate Edition. The game is priced at $80 for the standard version, while the Ultimate Edition costs $100.

The announcement has generated discussion among players regarding the absence of a disc, particularly among collectors and consumers who value physical ownership, resale options, and game preservation. Others noted that the code-in-box format still allows purchases through physical retailers while supporting pre-loading before launch.

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▮[Source]: pushsquare.com

Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on 19 November 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders have opened through digital storefronts and selected retailers in multiple regions.

Two editions are available: a Standard Edition and an Ultimate Edition. Both include the base game, while pre-orders also receive the Vintage Vice City Pack. The Ultimate Edition adds exclusive vehicles, weapons, customization options, clothing, hairstyles, tattoos, special missions, and access to additional in-game businesses and modification shops.

A notable aspect of the release is the absence of a physical game disc in retail editions. Physical purchases provide a code-in-a-box format, which has generated discussion among players regarding game ownership, collectability, and resale value.

Community reactions have been mixed. Some players welcome the convenience of digital distribution, while others have expressed disappointment over the lack of physical media and collector-focused content. There has also been debate about the value of pre-ordering a digital product several months before launch.

Industry observers expect strong sales and significant pre-order demand due to the franchise’s popularity and the long gap since the previous main entry.

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▮[Source]: pushsquare.com

SteamOS is being expanded to support a wider range of PC hardware. Recent updates in SteamOS 3.8.10 have improved compatibility with modern Intel and AMD platforms, allowing users to build and run SteamOS on custom PC configurations more easily.

Valve has also confirmed ongoing collaboration with NVIDIA to improve support for NVIDIA graphics cards. While full compatibility may not arrive immediately, development is continuing in the background as part of Valve’s broader effort to make SteamOS accessible across more hardware.

The initiative aims to reduce hardware limitations and make SteamOS a viable alternative operating system for PC gaming. Greater compatibility could benefit desktop PCs, compact gaming systems, and handheld devices.

Expanded hardware support may also strengthen Linux gaming adoption. As Valve’s official gaming platform, SteamOS has the potential to bring a more mainstream Linux gaming experience to users with diverse hardware configurations, increasing competition with traditional Windows-based gaming environments.

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▮[Source]: wccftech.com

Samsung has outlined a roadmap to develop ultra-high-layer NAND flash memory for future solid-state drives (SSDs), targeting more than 1,000 layers by around 2030.

The company plans to increase NAND density through stacked designs, progressing from approximately 420 layers by 2029 to more than 560 layers by 2030. Beyond that, Samsung aims to combine two 450-layer NAND structures into a single package using Cell-Multi Bonding (CMB), creating storage solutions exceeding 900 layers.

Key technical challenges, including wafer warping and layer alignment errors, are being addressed through new manufacturing techniques such as advanced chuck designs and overlay correction technologies.

Higher-layer NAND is expected to significantly increase SSD capacities. Industry estimates suggest that storage devices currently offering 8 TB could potentially reach 32 TB using future 900+ layer NAND technology.

Samsung faces competition from rivals including SK Hynix and YMTC, both of which are advancing their own high-layer NAND technologies. While Samsung’s 900+ layer approach remains at the prototype stage, it represents a major step toward next-generation high-capacity storage solutions.

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▮[Source]: wccftech.com

Valve has announced pricing for its new Steam Machine, with models ranging from approximately $1,049 to $1,428 depending on storage capacity and controller inclusion. Comparable PS5 systems remain significantly less expensive, with prices ranging from about $600 to $900.

Performance analysis indicates that the Steam Machine generally delivers results similar to the base PS5. Its processor can outperform the PS5 in some CPU-intensive games, while Sony’s console retains advantages in many titles due to platform-specific optimization. Achieving equivalent performance on the Steam Machine may require additional user configuration.

The device operates as a compact PC running within Valve’s open ecosystem, allowing broader software flexibility than a traditional console. It is also notably smaller and quieter than the PS5.

Despite its technical capabilities and versatile functionality, its high price may limit its appeal, particularly given the availability of lower-cost consoles and more customizable desktop PCs.

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▮[Source]: pushsquare.com

This week’s PlayStation 5 release schedule is relatively light, featuring a small selection of new titles launching between 22 and 28 June 2026.

Key releases include Deer & Boy (23 June), a cinematic adventure focused on the relationship between a runaway boy and a young deer, and Abyssus (25 June), a multiplayer roguelite shooter featuring cooperative gameplay, customizable weapons, and tactical combat.

Also arriving on 25 June is Dead or Alive 6: Last Round, bringing the fighting game to PS5 with its established roster and combat system. Flesh Made Fear launches the same day, offering a survival horror experience inspired by classic genre mechanics such as fixed camera angles and tank controls.

Another notable release is The Necromancer’s Tale (25 June), a story-driven gothic role-playing game centered on necromancy, diplomacy, and moral decline.

The week is considered one of the quieter periods of the year for new PS5 releases, with only a handful of titles scheduled for launch.

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▮[Source]: pushsquare.com