Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Naoki Hamaguchi said he did his best to fight for a disc release as the industry heads toward a "future where physical media is essentially disc-less."
The lead developer in charge of next year's new remake chapter opened up about the state of gaming during an interview with Radio Times. It's a topic he's touched on before, but this time, he explained how his own appreciation for physical media led him to push for Final Fantasy 7 Revelation to get at least one disc as the industry speeds toward an all-digital future.
"Personally, obviously, I bought lots of physical editions of games as a child. Sometimes I buy digital editions of games, but if I'm particularly attached to a title, I want to get the physical version," Hamaguchi said, noting how the topic of a fully digital future has become "particularly sensitive" in recent months. "And you know, being in the industry, sometimes I want to get my friends or acquaintances who've worked on something to sign a copy of their own game."
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is confirmed to have a disc option when it launches in 2027, but there are some caveats. When physical owners on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, for example, pop their discs in, they should know the full experience will require an additional download – and a hefty one at that. It's a decision that has some fans split, but not one Hamaguchi and the team at Square Enix took lightly.
"I do really like and appreciate physical media," he said. "I see a lot of people on social media saying, 'No disc, no purchase,' and I understand where they're coming from."
Hamaguchi acknowledged that Final Fantasy 7 Revelation does have a disc alternative for those who want it, even if it's just a "key disc" that only has "the opening." He added that he understands that "there are people out there with a lot of opinions" about the future of physical media and shared a message to those who feel most passionately about the issue.
"First of all, I've got people saying to me on social media, 'Give us a full disc version!' And so, from an overall perspective, let me first say that as the director, it's my responsibility to look after the content of the game to make sure it's fun, really exciting," he said. Then, smiling, he added, "The product line-up, the SKUs (stock keeping units), how it's going on sale; that is the responsibility of the publishing team. So, my authority there is somewhat limited."
Despite the "pressure" for disc-less editions and digital editions, Hamaguchi said he "used my position to put forth an argument for the physical version as much as possible." That resulted in negotiations, "both internally and with first parties," leading to Final Fantasy 7 Revelation's one-disc strategy. He added, "I completely understand there are those out there who may not really agree with that direction or approve of that direction," but it's what he fought for, and it's the best result he could conjure.
"I completely understand there are those out there who may not really agree with that direction or approve of that direction," he said. "But I would just say that I hope you understand that I completely see where you're coming from, and that I did my best."
He added with a laugh, "It is a very tricky subject."
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will release with a disc when it releases for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S April 8, 2027. Although its launch strategy hasn't pleased everyone, it's a date that will see it arrive months before PlayStation phases out physical releases for new PS5 games. Even after Rockstar signaled changing times when it announced a disc-less release for Grand Theft Auto 6, Sony's decision sent shockwaves through the industry.
Gaming fans have expected an all-digital future to arrive at some point, but it seems to be here sooner than most expected. Elsewhere in the interview, Hamaguchi said he thinks "physical media will remain in some form going forward," but it's impossible to deny that change is coming.
"But the PC market, for example, is going from strength to strength, and lots of people already purchase digital copies of games and just download them.
"So, I can see a world in the not-too-distant future where physical media is essentially disc-less. You would have a copy of the code on a piece of paper inside the physical box or something like that."
For more on why the Square Enix team chose to approach Final Fantasy 7 Revelation's physical release the way it did, you can see Hamaguchi's explanation here. You can also read more about the director's love for physical media.
