NISA CEO Says He's Having 'Discussions' With Sony About Discs

Key Points:

• Kenzo Saruhashi, CEO of Nippon Ichi Software and president of NIS America, expressed concern but optimism about Sony's plan to stop manufacturing physical game discs by 2028, emphasizing the importance of physical limited editions to his company's business model.
• Nippon Ichi and NIS America produce elaborate physical limited editions with discs and other collectibles, and while they briefly experimented with game key cards, this approach was unpopular with their audience.
• Saruhashi indicated that transitioning to "code in the box" formats is a possibility, but discussions with Sony are ongoing, and the company hopes for a compromise that maintains physical edition offerings.
• Recent reports suggest Sony is gathering developer feedback on physical game sales, hinting at potential flexibility, though a full reversal of the disc discontinuation plan seems unlikely.
• It is speculated that Sony may allow limited production of physical discs for special editions, but until official announcements, the end of physical discs is expected to proceed as planned by 2028.