- Former Nippon Ichi Software CEO Sohei Niikawa criticized Sony’s decision to end game disc production
- He Disgaea The creator says the company doesn’t “understand the feelings” of physical game fans.
- He adds: “If they’re going to go as far as removing the physical packages, they might as well remove the hardware.”
Former CEO of Nippon Ichi Software and creator of the tactical role-playing video game series DisgaeaSohei Niikawa has opposed Sony’s plan to end disc production, saying the company could also eliminate hardware.
Sony announced its decision earlier this month, calling it a “natural direction” for the company that will take effect in January 2028. It means that in the future, PlayStation owners will not be able to purchase discs for new games.
Fans have expressed their anger at the decision and have asked Sony to change its mind. Even former PlayStation Worldwide Studios boss Shawn Layden has called the plan to go all-digital “a pretty dramatic decision.”
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Now, speaking with Noisy Pixel at Anime Expo 2026, Niikawa also criticized Sony, saying that while he understands the plan “from a purely commercial perspective,” it will hurt PlayStation fans.
“I think physical editions of games are very important,” Niikawa said, explaining that fans who buy physical copies can have “great value” and memorabilia, and can even be taken to events to be signed by their creators.
“Physical games are important because they can convey that kind of meaning,” he said.
“I can understand why the people at Sony would make that decision. However, the executives who decided it have probably never experienced coming to an event like Anime Expo and having someone approach them with a physical game and ask for an autograph.
“I don’t think they understand the feelings of those fans and they may have never considered what physical editions mean to the people who value them.”
He added: “If they’re going to go as far as removing physical packages, they might as well remove the hardware. A TV would be enough. Why would you need the console? If you’re going to get rid of physical games, you might as well go all the way.”
For now, Sony seems firm in its decision and analysts have determined that it will not change its mind, despite the backlash, arguing that “digital is too lucrative” in the current business.
Circana’s Mat Piscatella also believes Sony is taking advantage of the current digital market, recently reporting that only seven PlayStation games have sold more than 100,000 physical units so far this year in the United States.
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