Nier creative director Yoko Taro has publicly mourned the decline of physical media after Sony announced it will stop producing PlayStation game discs from January 2028. His comments, shared on X, reflect wider unease among players and industry figures about the shift towards an all-digital future for console gaming, a change that could affect collectors, independent retailers and how limited editions are distributed.

Taro said he had expected physical distribution to survive for high-priced limited editions even as digital downloads became standard, comparing it to the CD market, but admitted this prediction had not come true. He made the remarks while showcasing his physical copy of Hi-Fi Rush, urging fans to buy physical games while they still can. The backlash extends beyond social media grumbling: Sony is facing legal challenges, including from a Dutch consumer group and Mexican lawmakers, who argue the move could amount to a "relative monopolistic practice" that raises prices and harms independent game stores.