Disgaea Creator Slams Sony for Scrapping Discs, Says PlayStation Might as Well ‘Go All the Way’ and Scrap Consoles Too
Disgaea creator Sohei Niikawa has criticised Sony’s plan to stop producing disc releases of new games from January 2028, arguing that its executives do not understand what physical editions mean to fans. He said abandoning physical packages could undermine the appeal of dedicated consoles, suggesting Sony might as well rely on televisions and eliminate hardware altogether if it fully embraces digital distribution.
Sony says the move reflects consumer behaviour, as digital purchases now significantly outpace disc sales; only seven PlayStation games have reportedly sold more than 100,000 physical copies in the US this year. However, fans and industry figures including Hideo Kojima and Yoko Taro have raised concerns about ownership and preservation, particularly where discs contain incomplete games or still require downloads to work.
In short
- Niikawa says Sony overlooks physical games’ emotional and practical value.
- Sony will cease new PlayStation disc releases from January 2028.
- Critics fear digital-only gaming weakens ownership and preservation.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those defending physical media argue that discs represent genuine consumer ownership and provide essential alternatives to digital stores that could disappear or be revoked. Physical games enable preservation and access independent of corporate servers, matter significantly to collectors and players who value resale and long-term access, and provide meaningful differentiation for dedicated gaming consoles. They contend that even incomplete discs requiring downloads offer greater longevity than purely digital titles, since the local medium cannot vanish if online services are discontinued.
The case against
Sony's position reflects clear market reality: digital purchases now vastly outpace physical sales, with only seven PlayStation games selling over 100,000 physical copies in the US this year. Digital distribution offers consumers immediate gratification, eliminates manufacturing and distribution overhead, and provides superior security and anti-piracy measures that the overwhelming majority of players demonstrably prefer. Continuing disc production for a dwindling minority is economically inefficient when consumer behaviour shows decisively that most customers now choose digital convenience and instant access over physical media.
Explained simply
Sony has announced it will stop manufacturing physical game discs for PlayStation consoles from January 2028, moving to a digital-only model where games are downloaded online. Developers and players who value physical ownership have criticised the decision, arguing it threatens an important part of how gaming works.
The company argues the shift reflects real consumer behaviour, with digital sales now far exceeding physical disc purchases. Sony says that this year, only a small handful of PlayStation games sold more than 100,000 physical copies in the United States, indicating most players prefer to download games rather than buy them.
Concerns centre on ownership and preservation, since digital games can be removed from storefronts permanently if publishers wish. There are also questions about what players truly own, as modern PlayStation discs frequently require substantial downloads to function, meaning a physical disc no longer represents a complete product.
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