FF7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi told Radio Times he personally pushed for a physical release despite limited authority over the decision, while admitting physical media's future may be a code card, not a disc.
FF7 Revelation Director Pushed for a Physical Release as He Predicts a Disc-Less Future
Hamaguchi Personally Lobbied for a Physical Edition, Despite Limited Say Over the Decision
In an exclusive interview with Radio Times published October 1, FF7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi addressed the growing disc-versus-digital debate, revealing that he personally advocated for the game to receive a physical release even though, as director, he has limited authority over publishing decisions like SKUs and edition lineups.
Hamaguchi explained that "the responsibility of the publishing team" covers the product lineup and how the game is sold, leaving his authority limited. Even so, he said he "used my position to put forth an argument for the physical version" during internal negotiations and discussions with platform holders.
The Physical Disc Won't Hold the Whole Game
Those negotiations came with real limitations attached. Hamaguchi confirmed that Revelation's physical edition won't be able to contain the entire game on disc. Instead, the disc will include the opening portion before players are required to download the rest of the game.
That compromise sits at the center of a broader backlash that's been building across the industry. PlayStation confirmed earlier this year that it plans to stop producing physical discs entirely by 2028, part of a wider industry-wide shift toward digital distribution, and the announcement sparked visible pushback from players rallying around phrases like "No disc, no buy."
Hamaguchi said he's seen that reaction directly aimed at him, with some players on social media demanding, "Give us a full disc version!" He said he understands the frustration from players who want a complete physical release and has been paying attention to their feedback.
Hamaguchi Thinks the Future of Physical Media Isn't a Disc at All
Pressed on where physical media is actually headed, Hamaguchi said he believes it "will remain in some form going forward." However, he also expects physical releases could eventually become disc-less, with a game code included inside a physical box instead.
Despite that outlook, Hamaguchi was clear that his own attachment to physical media is genuine. He said that while he sometimes buys digital games, "if I'm particularly attached to a title, I want to get the physical version." He also highlighted the appeal of having physical copies signed by people who worked on the game.
Still, he acknowledged the tension surrounding the issue, calling it "a particularly sensitive question these days" and admitting, "It is a very tricky subject."
Asked to sum up his position for players frustrated by the direction physical releases are heading, Hamaguchi said he "completely" understands those who disagree with it. He added that he hopes players understand that "I did my best" to preserve a physical edition, even though it cannot hold the entire game.
FF7 Revelation is the third and final entry in Square Enix's FF7 Remake trilogy, following 2020's FF7 Remake and 2024's FF7 Rebirth, and it's due out April 8, 2027, for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
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