Ken Kutaragi, known as “The Father of PlayStation,” has backed Sony’s controversial decision to scrap discs on PS5. Kutaragi, who ran Sony’s gaming business through its first three console generations, told VGC that while he understands the backlash, it isn’t “economically reasonable.”
“Although we had network capability back in the PS2 and PS3 days, it was not that common [as it is today]. Now, many, many people are connected,” he said.
“I understand that physical discs have become a metaphor for ‘owning’ games. I really understand that mentality… But nobody thinks [physical media] is necessary for a networked device like a smartphone, for example, because people feel that they will keep their content. So it’s a mentality.
“I really understand [why some people are upset], but I don’t think it’s economically reasonable. Maybe it’s a mentality issue.”
While Kutaragi noted that Sony’s decision had caused friction for players, he pointed at the makeup of Sony Interactive Entertainment, which employs people from streaming services such as Gaikai. Kutaragi noted that Sony might have ambitions wider than just gaming with its all-digital plans.
He went on to suggest consoles could eventually be phased out, with platform holders utilizing streaming solutions to combat the rising price of components (thanks, AI). “We won’t need any console,” he said, before he clarified: “This isn’t an official comment from Sony Computer Entertainment!”
Under Sony’s current plans, physical discs on PlayStation consoles will be phased out entirely by 2028. Sony reportedly knew killing PS5 discs would be a huge PR problem, but it is pressing ahead. Sony’s rationale for ditching discs 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,” Sid Shuman, Senior Director, Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications, said in a post on PlayStation Blog.
“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. Following this 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 let their preservation concerns be heard.
Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images.