Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, responded to fans' requests for a complete disc version of the game. He stated that, as the gaming industry gradually moves toward full digitalization, he has done his "best" to promote the release of physical media.
According to an interview cited by IGN from Radio Times, Naoki Hamaguchi shared his deep attachment to physical media: from buying physical games as a child to now hoping that industry friends and colleagues will sign copies of his own games.
"Personally, I bought many physical copies of games when I was younger. Nowadays, I occasionally buy digital versions, but for titles I particularly love, I always get the physical edition." He added that this topic has become "especially sensitive" in recent months.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will have a disc version upon its 2027 release, but PS5 and Xbox Series X players will still need to download large amounts of game data to play the full game, even if they insert the physical disc.
Hamaguchi acknowledged that the included disc is merely a "starter disc" containing only the beginning portion of the game, and he understands the stance of some fans who say, "no disc, no purchase."
"As the director, my responsibility is to oversee the game's content and ensure it is engaging and appealing," he stated. "Decisions regarding product lineup, edition specifications, and release formats fall under the purview of the publishing team, so my authority in these areas is quite limited."
Despite this, Hamaguchi stated that he leveraged his position to advocate for a physical version "as much as possible." After "multiple rounds of internal discussions and negotiations with first-party partners," the single-disc release format was finally finalized.
"I fully understand that some people may not approve of this approach," he said. "But I hope everyone realizes that I am fully aware of your demands, and I have done my best. This issue is indeed very difficult to handle."
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will launch on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on April 8, 2027. Hamaguchi expressed his belief that "physical media will continue to exist in some form in the future," noting that PC digital sales remain strong. However, he added that "it is not hard to foresee that in the near future, physical media will essentially no longer include discs," potentially leaving only a redemption code printed on paper inside the box.
Sony announced on July 1 that it will cease production of PlayStation game discs starting January 2028. From then on, PlayStation games will be available only in digital versions. Notably, PlayStation games will still be sold in physical retail stores, but they will no longer include physical discs.
The Platinum Trophy for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was designed to be challenging, while the Platinum Trophy for its sequel, Rebirth, will be "easier to obtain."