Sega has weighed in on the ongoing debate over physical game media following Sony's decision to end the manufacture and sale of PlayStation game discs by January 2028. Shuji Utsumi, president of the Japanese publisher, stated that while digital distribution is crucial—driven by a steadily increasing PC player base—Sega still values the culture of physical media and refuses to completely abandon it.

Quick Facts

  • Sony's Decision: Phasing out PlayStation physical game production and sales by January 2028.
  • Sega's Stance: Balancing a crucial digital shift for consoles and PCs while maintaining physical media culture in parallel.
  • Industry Pushback: Disgaea creator Sohei Niikawa suggested Sony should eliminate console hardware entirely if it eliminates physical games.

Sega Balancing Digital Growth With Physical Heritage

In an interview with Japanese publication Famitsu, Utsumi emphasized that a digital shift is essential for 'full games' on consoles and PCs, particularly to reach regions where traditional consoles are less available and players rely on PC gaming. However, drawing on Sega's history as a former hardware platform provider, Utsumi noted that the company still values physical media culture rather than abandoning it entirely.

This approach stands in contrast to Sony's upcoming hardware and software shifts. Sony's decision to stop producing physical media by January 2028 has sparked significant public backlash, consumer rights concerns, and online petitions. Government oversight bodies, including the European Union, reportedly lack the power to stop the hardware giant's transition.

Industry Reactions and Recent Comments

Other industry veterans have joined the public dissent. Sohei Niikawa, creator of the Disgaea series, criticized Sony's logic during an interview with Noisy Pixel at Anime Expo 2026. Niikawa remarked that if PlayStation intends to eliminate physical packages, executives might as well get rid of the console hardware entirely and rely solely on a television.

Niikawa was attending Anime Expo 2026 to promote his upcoming strategy RPG, Demons' Night Fever. Developed with a new studio and published by Arc System Works, the title is scheduled for release in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.