'Father of PlayStation' Calls Disc Removal Backlash a 'Mentality Issue'

Ken Kutaragi, widely known as 'The Father of PlayStation,' has defended Sony's controversial move to eliminate discs on PS5. In an interview with VGC, Kutaragi, who led Sony's gaming division through its first three console generations, acknowledged the backlash but argued that keeping discs isn't 'economically reasonable.'

'Back in the PS2 and PS3 days, we had network capabilities, but they weren't as widespread as they are now. Today, so many people are connected,' he said.

'I get that physical discs symbolize game ownership for many. I truly understand that mindset... But nobody insists on physical media for a networked device like a smartphone, right? People feel secure that their content will stay with them. So it's a mentality thing.

'I really understand why some are upset, but I don't think it's economically sensible. Maybe it's a mentality issue.'

Kutaragi also pointed to Sony Interactive Entertainment's makeup, which includes talent from streaming services like Gaikai, suggesting Sony's ambitions with its all-digital strategy might extend beyond gaming. He hinted that consoles could eventually disappear, with platform holders turning to streaming to offset rising component costs (partly due to AI). 'We won't need any console,' he said, then quickly added, 'This isn't an official comment from Sony Computer Entertainment!'

Under Sony's current plans, physical discs on PlayStation consoles will be completely phased out by 2028. Sony reportedly anticipated a major PR backlash but is moving forward anyway. The company's rationale is that it's simply following consumer trends. 'In response to shifting trends in consumer preference, new games will be released on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only,' said Sid Shuman, Senior Director of Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications, in a PlayStation Blog post.

'As consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital, physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028. After that date, new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only. This transition has no impact on games that already released, or will be releasing, prior to January 2028 in disc format.

'This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs. This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today.'

Players have been using any platform they can, including PlayStation surveys, to voice their preservation concerns.

Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images.