Killing PS5 Discs Just Makes Sense, Even If It Angers People, Former PlayStation Exec Says

Ken Kutaragi, the renowned “Father of PlayStation” who created the original PlayStation, PS2, and PS3 consoles, has defended Sony’s controversial decision to end physical disc support for PlayStation 5 games in January 2028. Speaking to Video Games Chronicle, Kutaragi acknowledged the significant backlash from fans but argued that discontinuing physical media is economically sensible and represents an inevitable evolution for networked gaming devices.

Kutaragi explained that while he understands why players feel they “own” games when purchasing physical copies, the comparison to smartphones illustrates why physical media is no longer necessary. Just as smartphone users accept that their content lives in the cloud, he suggested gamers should similarly embrace digital ownership models. He characterized the resistance to this shift as a “mentality issue” rather than a practical concern, noting that network connectivity is now ubiquitous—far more common than during the PS2 and PS3 eras.

The statement comes as PlayStation fans have expressed significant frustration with Sony’s announcement, with sentiment toward the platform reaching notably low levels among hardcore players. The backlash has been so pervasive that even unrelated PlayStation news has attracted criticism. While Sony continues to sell millions of physical games annually—particularly in certain regions—Kutaragi’s defense reflects the company’s position that the shift to digital-only distribution represents the industry’s natural trajectory. His remarks highlight the ongoing tension between corporate interests in eliminating physical distribution costs and consumer desires to maintain ownership of their game libraries.

Killing PS5 Discs Just Makes Sense, Even If It Angers People, Former PlayStation Exec Says

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