Legendary game creator Hideo Kojima has expressed concern over Sony's decision to stop producing physical PlayStation game discs beginning in January 2028.
Speaking at the Il Cinema in Piazza film festival in Italy, the "Death Stranding" creator said the shift toward an all-digital future is "really sad" and questionable about long-term game ownership.
Sony recently confirmed that all new PlayStation games released from January 2028 onward will be distributed exclusively in digital format. Games launched before the cutoff date will continue to be available on disc. The company said the decision reflects changing consumer preferences, with digital purchases now accounting for the overwhelming majority of PlayStation game sales.
Hideo Kojima Defends Physical Media
During the event, Kojima revealed via Genki that he still buys Blu-ray movies and CDs because he values owning physical media rather than relying entirely on digital services.
Speaking at the "Il Cinema in Piazza" Film Festival in Italy.
— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) July 5, 2026
Translation by me.
Source: https://t.co/ztnvmIHbcE
While he acknowledged that downloaded games remain stored on a player's console, he argued that cloud gaming presents a different situation. If games are streamed instead of installed locally, access depends entirely on servers operated by publishers and platform holders.
According to Kojima, if those servers are shut down because of licensing issues, business decisions, or geopolitical events, players could instantly lose access to games they believed they owned.
The game designer added that the same concerns could eventually affect movies, music, and books as more entertainment shifts to subscription-based platforms.
Sony's Digital-Only Future Sparks Debate
Sony's announcement has reignited debate over digital game ownership and game preservation. Unlike physical discs, digital purchases are tied to user accounts and platform licensing agreements.
According to Kotaku, many players argue that physical copies offer greater control because they can be collected, resold, lent to friends, and preserved independently of online services. Others point to previous cases in which digital content became unavailable after licensing agreements expired, fueling concerns about long-term access.
Sony even started transforming its PlayStation disc factory as part of preparation for all-digital releases.
The Future of PlayStation Games
Although Sony is ending physical discs for future PlayStation releases, the company says it remains committed to expanding how players access games through digital storefronts and retail partners. Existing physical releases will not be affected by the 2028 transition.
Kojima's comments have amplified an ongoing conversation about consumer rights in the digital age, especially this part:
"And the consequence of that is that you don't actually possess the data yourself. There are companies that own these servers and let you 'turn the tap' for a monthly fee. However, with nations, politics and various ways of thinking, one naturally has to consider the possibility that if there is a change, the data inside will stop being distributed. And if that happens, you won't be able to watch or play the movies and games you like. That is what is frightening. So, what is happening to video games in 2028 might also happen to movies. I'd like everyone to keep that in mind."
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— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) August 5, 2021
Eventually, even digital data will no longer be owned by individuals on their own initiative. Whenever there is a major change or accident in the world, in a country, in a government, in an idea, in a trend, access to it may suddenly be cut off.
With the PlayStation ecosystem moving toward a digital-first future, that question is likely to remain at the center of gaming discussions for years to come. Adjustments will be made for gamers over the next two years.
