Disgaea Creator On Sony’s Decision To Scrap Physical Game Discs: ‘They May As Well Eliminate The Hardware Too’
Sohei Niikawa, the creator of the Disgaea series, has reacted to Sony’s controversial decision to end production of physical game discs during a chat with NoisyPixel, believing the format holder has failed to take into consideration the value of physical media to those who still prefer to invest in boxed games.
Niikawa-san suggested that Sony may as well knock hardware off the list too if they’re going to remove discs, noting a TV would be enough — presumably referring to an all streaming-based future.
For fans, being able to keep a game they love as an object can have a great deal of value. It becomes a memory or a keepsake connected to something that matters to them. They can also bring that physical game to an event like this and ask someone to sign it. Afterward, they can take it home, display it, and decorate their room with it. Physical games are important because they can carry that kind of meaning.
If they’re going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware too. A television would be enough. Why would you need the console? If you’re going to get rid of physical games, you may as well go all the way.
Sony’s decision to stop manufacturing game discs for PlayStation games in January 2028 has been met with overwhelming criticism online. Not long after the news broke, the CEO of an independent retailer in Canada started a petition for Sony to reconsider its decision, which has attracted over 336,000 signatures at the time of writing; a report also claimed the hardware giant didn’t keep its publishing & business partners in the loop regarding the move.
Elsewhere, Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima also voiced his opinion on the matter, saying he’s “very sad” to hear about the news, while ex-PlayStation boss Shawn Layden suggested that “maybe it’s just too prohibitively expensive to stamp out discs,” although admitted he didn’t “necessarily agree” with Sony’s decision.
[Source – NoisyPixel]
