Physical games have been a major part of PlayStation since the original console launched in the 1990s, which is only one reason why so many folks were upset when PlayStation confirmed it would end disc production in January 2028, and now the creator of the PS1 has officially weighed in. For many gamers, the shift toward an increasingly all-digital future has created a divide between the convenience of digital libraries and the appeal of having a physical copy on the shelf.
While even the most diehard PlayStation fans would be forgiven for not knowing the name of Ken Kutaragi, it’s worth noting that he is widely known as the Father of PlayStation. He was behind the CD-ROM tech that led to game discs to begin with for Sony, creating the original PlayStation and playing a major role in the creation of the PS2 and PS3 before leaving the company in 2007. His work was vital in establishing PlayStation as the monolith it is today, making his perspective worth hearing out at the very least.
PS1 Creator Understands Both the Fans and the Company
Kutaragi has now weighed in on the frustration surrounding Sony’s decision to end physical disc production, acknowledging that the move has upset some players while questioning whether continuing to manufacture discs makes sense. Speaking to VGC at the Game Republic New Horizons event in Middlesbrough, England, he said he understands why gamers associate physical copies with ownership. However, Kutaragi believes the industry’s growing reliance on network-connected services has changed how companies approach game distribution, as the technology has come a long way since the PS2 and PS3 days, even if longtime PlayStation fans are not entirely comfortable with that direction. As Kutaragi explained,
“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.”
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Leaving discs behind is a tough pill to swallow for PlayStation fans, but Kutaragi seems to hint at the underlying issue with his smartphone comparison: digital ownership. It seems companies like PlayStation have differing definitions from consumers like gamers. Why would anyone trust PlayStation after:
In his view, the attachment to game discs is partly a question of perception, although that does not mean the concerns surrounding digital ownership are meaningless. Kutaragi acknowledged that Sony’s approach has created friction with gaming enthusiasts, even as he argued that maintaining disc production is not economically reasonable. Kutaragi also added, “It’s understandable that by utilizing network connectivity [they may see] PlayStation as not just a game console, but also a content terminal. Maybe that’s how those people are thinking. But this has caused some friction with game enthusiasts.”
Kutaragi also suggested that Sony’s changing priorities could help explain why the company and some of its customers see the future of PlayStation games differently. He pointed to the influence of people from network and streaming businesses within the broader Sony Interactive Entertainment company, suggesting that some may view PlayStation differently as a brand than casual gamers, enthusiasts, and hardcore fans. Nonetheless, these comments are particularly notable coming from someone who helped build PlayStation into the gaming brand it is today.
