‘I Did My Best’ — Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Responds to Fans Asking for Full Disc Version
Director Naoki Hamaguchi says he pushed for a physical edition of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, despite the industry moving towards digital releases. The game will offer a disc version when it launches in 2027, but players will need to download much of the game, leaving some fans dissatisfied.
Hamaguchi said he values physical games and understands calls for a complete disc edition, while noting that publishing decisions sit largely with Square Enix’s publishing team. He argued for a physical option through internal and platform-holder negotiations, resulting in a disc that contains only the opening; he described this as the best outcome he could secure.
- Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is due in 2027.
- Its disc version will require a large download.
- Hamaguchi says he did his best to secure a physical option.
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Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is a forthcoming role-playing game from Square Enix, directed by Naoki Hamaguchi. It is part of the wider Final Fantasy series, which has been released on consoles in both physical and digital formats.
A physical edition usually lets players install a game from a disc, while a digital edition is downloaded. Some recent disc releases still require large downloads, so owning the disc does not necessarily mean having the whole game on it.
Hamaguchi has said he supports physical editions, but Square Enix’s publishing team has much of the control over release decisions. The issue matters to players who want to keep games on physical media or play without relying on a substantial download.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A physical edition gives players a tangible copy and can better serve collectors, people with limited or unreliable internet, and those who want games to remain playable without relying on a large download. From this perspective, a disc containing only the opening falls short of what buyers reasonably expect from a complete physical release, and fans are justified in asking publishers to offer the full game on disc.
The case against
A disc option can still matter to players who value ownership and collecting, even if technical or commercial constraints mean much of the game must be downloaded. Hamaguchi says publishing decisions largely rest with Square Enix’s publishing team, and that he advocated for a physical edition through negotiations; supporters may see the partial-disc release as a practical compromise that preserves some choice in an industry shifting towards digital distribution.