Sony Has Caused ‘Friction’ Between It and PlayStation Fans Over Disc Mess, Says PS1, PS2, PS3 Creator
Ken Kutaragi, who oversaw the launch of PlayStation, PS2 and PS3, says Sony’s decision to stop producing disc-based PlayStation games from January 2028 has created “friction” with long-time fans. His comments highlight a wider dispute about whether digital purchases offer the same sense of ownership as physical games.
Kutaragi said continuing to press discs may not make economic sense as digital buying grows, but he understands why players see discs as a symbol of owning their games. He suggested Sony may increasingly view consoles as “content terminals”; although a recent investigation found nearly half of social media accounts behind disc-related backlash were fake, the article says genuine frustration remains and Sony has not indicated it will reverse the decision.
- Sony plans to stop producing disc-based PlayStation games from January 2028.
- Ken Kutaragi says the decision has caused friction with long-time fans.
- He recognises discs’ symbolic value despite the shift towards digital games.
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PlayStation is Sony’s video-game business, and its consoles have long played games supplied on discs as well as games downloaded from the internet. Ken Kutaragi led the development of the original PlayStation and its first two successors, helping establish the brand among players.
A physical disc can be kept, lent or resold, while a digital game is tied to an account and depends on access to online services. As more players buy downloads, Sony faces choices about the cost and future of disc production, while fans debate what it means to own a game.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ending disc production could reflect how players increasingly buy games digitally and help Sony reduce the costs and complexity of manufacturing and distributing physical copies. If discs are becoming a smaller part of the market, shifting resources towards digital services may be a practical way to sustain the platform, while players can still access a broad catalogue online.
The case against
Physical discs give players a tangible sense of ownership and can offer practical benefits such as lending, collecting or keeping access without relying on a digital storefront. Ending production may leave long-time fans feeling that a valued way of buying and preserving games is being taken away, and could make access more dependent on Sony’s services and decisions.