- Former Nippon Ichi Software CEO Sohei Niikawa has criticized Sony’s decision to end the production of game discs
- The Disgaea creator says the company doesn’t “understand the feelings” of physical game fans
- He adds, “If they’re going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware too”
Former Nippon Ichi Software CEO and creator of the tactical role-playing video game series Disgaea, Sohei Niikawa, has objected to Sony’s plan to end disc production, saying the company might as well eliminate hardware too.
Sony announced its decision earlier this month, calling it a “natural direction” for the company that will come into effect by January 2028. It means that in the future, PlayStation owners won’t be able to purchase discs for new games.
Fans have been vocal about their anger at the decision and have called on Sony to change its mind. Even Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios boss Shawn Layden has called the plan to move all-digital “a fairly dramatic decision.”
Now, speaking to Noisy Pixel at Anime Expo 2026, Niikawa has also criticized Sony, saying that while he understands the plan “From a purely business perspective,” it will hurt PlayStation fans.
“I can understand why the people at Sony would make that decision,” said Niikawa. “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 to ask for an autograph.
“I don’t think they understand the feelings of those fans, and they may never have considered what physical editions mean to the people who value them.”
He added, “If they’re going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware too. A television would be enough. Why would you need the console? If you’re going to get rid of physical games, you may as well go all the way.”
For now, Sony appears firm in its decision, and analysts have determined that it won’t change its mind, despite the backlash, arguing that “Digital is just too lucrative,” in the current business.
Circana’s Mat Piscatella also believes that Sony is taking advantage of the current digital market, and recently reported that only seven PlayStation games have sold more than 100,000 physical units year-to-date in the US.
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