Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Says Physical Game Releases Must Continue

Key Points:

• Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, expressed concern that the end of physical game releases could lead to the loss of an important part of gaming culture, emphasizing his love for physical editions as both a gamer and creator.
• Sony's decision to stop shipping new games on PlayStation 5 discs from January 2028 has sparked significant backlash from fans and industry figures who value physical media.
• Hamaguchi is advocating for a physical release of the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, scheduled for spring 2027, which will launch simultaneously on multiple platforms including PC, PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S.
• Other prominent Japanese game creators, such as Sohei Niikawa, Hideo Kojima, and Yoko Taro, have also voiced their sadness and concerns about the shift to all-digital game distribution, highlighting the cultural significance of physical editions.
• Hamaguchi reflected on the historical transition of Final Fantasy from Nintendo cartridges to Sony’s CD format, underscoring the meaningfulness of bringing the new installment back to Nintendo platforms after years of PlayStation exclusivity.