Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi has responded to fans asking for a full disc version of the game, saying he “did [his] best” to push for physical media as the industry edges towards an all-digital future.
Speaking to Radio Times, as spotted by IGN, Hamaguchi explained his own attachment to physical media, from buying games as a child to wanting friends and colleagues in the industry to sign copies of their work.
“Personally, obviously, I bought lots of physical editions of games as a child. Sometimes I buy digital editions of games, but if I’m particularly attached to a title, I want to get the physical version,” he said, adding that the topic has become “particularly sensitive” in recent months.
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Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will ship with a disc option when it launches in 2027, but PS5 and Xbox Series X players popping in a physical copy will still need to download a hefty chunk of the game to play it in full.
Hamaguchi acknowledged the disc included is a “key disc” containing only the game’s opening, and that he understands why some fans have said “no disc, no purchase”.
“As the director, it’s my responsibility to look after the content of the game to make sure it’s fun, really exciting,” he said. “The product line-up, the SKUs, how it’s going on sale – that is the responsibility of the publishing team. So my authority there is somewhat limited.”
Despite that, Hamaguchi said he used his position to argue for a physical version “as much as possible”, leading to negotiations “both internally and with first parties” that resulted in the one-disc approach ultimately shipping with the game.
“I completely understand there are those out there who may not really agree with that direction,” he said. “But I would just say that I hope you understand that I completely see where you’re coming from, and that I did my best. It is a very tricky subject.”
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation launches on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on 8th April 2027. Hamaguchi said he still expects “physical media will remain in some form going forward”, pointing to the continued strength of PC digital sales, but added he can “see a world in the not-too-distant future where physical media is essentially disc-less”, reduced to little more than a code printed on paper inside the box.
Sony announced on 1st July it was ceasing production of discs for PlayStation games, effective January 2028. Beyond that point, PlayStation games will be available digitally only. Notably, PlayStation games will continue to be sold at retail, just without a physical disc.
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