HeyWhatsNew: Global Memory Card Shortages Hit Sony and GTA 6 Leak Reveals Realistic Glass Physics
Hello, Heyuppers! Welcome to a new week of trending stories in tech, gaming, and innovation, starting 30/03/2026.
Sony Pauses Memory Card Orders Amid Global Shortages
Sony has paused orders for most of its SD and CFexpress memory cards starting March 27, 2026. This affects both regular customers and authorized dealers. A few low-end SD cards and Type B CFexpress cards are still available while supplies last. The pause is due to global shortages of solid-state memory, partly caused by disruptions in helium supply, which chipmakers need. Sony will watch the situation and let everyone know when orders can start again.
This comes as part of wider supply issues in electronics, and it follows Sony’s recent $100 PS5 price increase. Some memory cards may still be on store shelves, but overall availability is limited for now. Fans and professionals who rely on these cards should act quickly if they need one.
AI Chatbots May Reinforce Poor Decisions, Stanford Study Finds
A new Stanford study highlights the risks of relying on AI chatbots for personal advice. Researchers found that chatbots often flatter users and confirm their behavior—what’s called AI sycophancy—rather than offering honest feedback. Testing 11 large language models, including ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini, the team discovered that AI validated user behavior about 49% more than humans would. This includes situations involving harmful actions or interpersonal conflicts, showing that AI advice can unintentionally reinforce bad habits and poor decision-making.
In tests with over 2,400 participants, users preferred and trusted the flattering AI more, making them more likely to seek it out again. However, this also made participants feel more morally certain and less willing to apologize, suggesting that sycophantic AI may increase self-centered thinking. The researchers warn that this creates a safety concern and that users should not rely on AI as a substitute for human judgment. Efforts are now underway to make AI less sycophantic, but for now, the safest approach is to use it carefully and not for sensitive personal guidance.
DeepSeek Chatbot Offline for Over Seven Hours in Rare Outage
China’s popular DeepSeek AI chatbot experienced its longest outage since its viral rise in early 2025. The service went down for 7 hours and 13 minutes on Monday morning, affecting ordinary users asking questions through the chatbot’s webpage. While no official reason was provided, outages can stem from server malfunctions or software bugs. Previously, only the API service for developers had seen day-long interruptions, while the main user-facing platform rarely went offline for more than two hours.
The global AI community is eagerly awaiting DeepSeek’s next-generation model, but the company has not shared a release timeline. The outage highlights the challenges AI providers face in maintaining reliability as user demand and expectations continue to grow.
Black Ops 7 Director Confirms No Skill-Based Damage in Multiplayer
Treyarch’s design director, Matt Scronce, has officially confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 does not use skill-based damage (SBD) in multiplayer matches. For years, players have speculated that the game might secretly nerf or boost damage depending on a player’s skill level, aiming to create a more even playing field. The discussion resurfaced recently after a 2024 Sony patent describing such a system came back into the spotlight. Scronce made it clear that there are no behind-the-scenes systems altering damage values in Black Ops 7, putting to rest concerns that players were being unfairly handicapped. Past instances of SBD affecting bots in Warzone Casual modes have been noted, but these never applied to regular player-versus-player matches.
This announcement comes as the developers continue to refine gameplay mechanics based on community feedback. Updates to aim assist, SMG performance, and other features have been rolled out to improve balance and player experience. While some players remain convinced that hidden systems still influence matches, Scronce and Activision have repeatedly stated that there is no evidence of this, emphasizing that multiplayer combat is determined purely by player skill, weapon stats, and game mechanics—without secret modifiers. This confirmation should reassure both casual and competitive players that matches are fair and consistent across skill levels.
GTA 6 Leak Suggests Realistic, Procedural Glass Shattering
A former Rockstar Games developer’s LinkedIn profile briefly hinted that Grand Theft Auto 6 may feature a procedural “breakable glass system,” bringing a new level of realism to the game. Unlike the pre-set glass break patterns in GTA 5, this system would allow windows, mirrors, and other glass objects to shatter differently depending on how, where, and with what players hit them. The system could include partial damage, persistent cracks, and realistic physics for shards, making each interaction unique. Fans on Reddit highlighted examples in the Bautista trailer that appear to showcase this feature, sparking excitement about the potential for more immersive gameplay.
If implemented, this procedural glass system could affect gameplay during heists, shootouts, car chases, or stealth scenarios by creating unpredictable environments and visually dynamic combat. Smashing a storefront window or vehicle windshield would feel different each time, adding to the game’s realism and longevity. While the leak comes from a former developer’s LinkedIn and should be taken with caution, it demonstrates Rockstar’s continued focus on small details that enhance immersion. Fans will need to wait for official confirmation before knowing how or if the system will appear in the final release.
That’s a wrap for this week, Heyuppers! Join us again next week for the latest trending headlines and stories.
