Two reports hit on Thursday that could upset gamers ahead of the release of Grand Theft Auto VI. 

First, a major retailer warned that console shortages could emerge as demand for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S hardware collides with a memory chip shortage. Then The Verge reported that Xbox consoles are set for another price hike, adding another pain point for gamers months before one of the most anticipated video game releases in over a decade. 

Video game industry publication The Game Business reported Thursday that the ongoing hardware component shortage, better known as the chip shortage, could spark a supply crunch for popular gaming consoles at major retailers in the coming months.

Here's what the outlet reported:

The outlet continued:

Separately, The Verge reports that Microsoft is hiking Xbox console prices again, startingAugust 11, with 512GB models increasing by $100 and 1TB models rising by $150. The price hike now means the Xbox Series S starts at around $499.99, while the disc-less Xbox Series X starts at $749.99 and the disc-drive version at $799.99. 

Earlier today, Take-Two Interactive's Rockstar Games studio officially launched the long-awaited pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI. The action-packed game is priced at $79.99 and is scheNovember 19unch on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The last major GTA release was GTA V,September 17hed on September 17, 2013. Gamers have been waiting 13 years for a major GTA installment, which only suggests massive demand for the game, and will likely coincide with demand for gaming consoles at the worst possible time - a memory chip shortage.

Google search trends for "pre-order Grand Theft Auto" are at their highest level since the GTA V release in 2013.

We provided readers with Wall Street commentary - from Raymond James to BTIG to Goldman analysts - discussing what their desks think of TTWO ahead of the fall release. Read the note here.

New development:

• Apple Price Shock: Macs And iPads Jump $200 Or More As Memory Crisis Worsens

It probably makes sense for gamers to front-run potential supply issues that could materialize later this year, especially given that the memory-chip shortage is not expected to ease anytime soon.