Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Fought for Disc Release Amid Industry Shift
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi defended the game's hybrid physical release strategy, explaining that he fought hard to secure a disc option despite the industry's rapid shift toward an all-digital future.
The director behind the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is speaking out about the fierce debate surrounding physical media as the industry accelerates toward a digital future. In a recent interview with Radio Times, Naoki Hamaguchi addressed community pushback over modern release formats and shared how his personal appreciation for physical copies drove him to advocate for a disc option. While a fully physical edition was not in the cards, Hamaguchi explained that he pushed internally and with platform holders to secure a single-disc release strategy for the 2027 launch.
The resulting compromise means players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X will get a physical disc option, though the box will essentially serve as a key containing the opening data alongside a mandatory hefty download. This middle-ground approach has divided players who hold firm to the no disc, no purchase mindset. Hamaguchi noted that while production decisions ultimately fall to the publishing side rather than the development team, he used his position as director to push back against the tide of entirely disc-less releases as much as possible.
The conversation highlights a broader anxiety within the gaming community as major publishers and platform holders phase out traditional physical media faster than many anticipated. Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is currently slated to arrive on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S in April 2027. Even with the compromises made for its physical distribution, Hamaguchi hopes players recognize that development leadership heard their concerns and fought to keep physical packaging relevant in a changing market.
Tags: Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, Square Enix, Physical Media, Industry News, PlayStation 5
Original article: IGN South Africa