President Biden Pledges To Investigate Silicon Shortages Affecting Latest Xbox & PlayStation Systems

For the avid consumer in the video game market, it is no secret how limited stock is for console fans trying to purchase a new Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5 system. While there are scalpers that are still sitting on the same machine with a price tag more than double its price, the same units are also facing a shortage in required silicon to produce the aforementioned devices. AMD CEO Lisa Su previously told this will be apparent well until the latter half of 2021 at the earliest.

However, the largest concern is the limited number of semiconductors in production and the fierce competitiveness many of these companies are in to acquire said silicon. In one statement from Sony CFO Hiroki Totoki, he specifically references semiconductors to be the source to the PlayStation 5’s setback in production. Now, it looks the United States federal government will be investigating the issue at hand.

In a new letter published by the Biden Administration, President Joe Biden and his team will be setting a review for the semiconductor shortage which affects not only video game consoles, but dozens of other innovate technology also.

Semiconductors play a critical role in enabling the products and services that fuel our economy, contribute to American innovation, and enhance our national security. Given the central role of semiconductors, strengthening the U.S. position in semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing is a national priority.

While the governments of our global competitors have invested heavily to attract new semiconductor manufacturing and research facilities, the absence of U.S. incentives has made our country uncompetitive and America’s share of global semiconductor manufacturing has steadily declined as a result.

Given how many outlets word the report on behalf of President Biden’s new investigation, the review is not directly aimed in resolving the console shortage issue. Best worded by Niko Partners’ David Ahmad, he explains it is to look to new routes in solving the shortage. “It’s about reviewing the impact that the pandemic has had on semiconductor manufacturing, leading to chip shortages across many major industries. The review will look at ways to solve it.”

As a direct result of the limited sales of the latest consoles on the market, it is reported that both Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5 all sell at par to its formers back in 2013. While record-number sales are made for both platforms, the two still sit at the same as its predecessors alike the Xbox One & PlayStation 4 did previously. You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you still trying to grab a Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5?

Source: Semiconductors.org