I'm suprised I wasn't really thinking this. After the news broke that Nintendo and Sony were both okay I didn't think the disaster would have a huge effect on gaming. But Tech analyst Marc Saltzman was on CTV today talking about the technologic disaster that will and has been caused by the EarthQuake and Tsunami.

In the interview Marc says that a high majority of flash drives and other parts used in making I-Phone's I-Pads, laptops etc...etc... come from Japan. He then went on to mention Sony specifically saying that seven of their major factories were forced to close due to the disaster.

He goes on to say we should expect tech hardware prices to rise substantially due to low supply and lack of production in Japan. Initially I thought to myself well Sony wasthe only one to close factories. But then I remembered Sharp makes the screens for the 3DS to my knowledge, a quick news search shows some of Sharps factories were also closed due to the disaster.

Now I know alot of production for 3DS is done in China, same goes for Wii. But was Sharp manufacturing the screens for 3DS in one of those closed factories. Were the three factories that Sony closed manufacturing hardware? Also if all these manufacturing plants are down who's producing the software, will this drive software prices higher?

Obviously Nintendo and Sony will take hits from this disaster. Will it drive hardware/software prices higher in the near future. Will Nintendo be able to deliver on the 3DS demand or will it be plagued with low quantities due to Sharps factories being closed? What about NGP? Sony hasn't announced a price yet but if they have 3 less factories I'd expect manufacturing costs to go up, and if thats the case will we see a less affordable NGP price announced?

Will this disaster have a negative impact on gamers? If so what about Microsoft are they too effected?

i know that taxes on them could rise.