Yoko Taro envisioned a more digital future for the video game industry, but he never imagined that physical media could disappear entirely. The creator of NieR has reacted sadly to PlayStation’s decision, which could fundamentally change how games are sold and preserved.

PlayStation’s decision to halt disc production in 2028 has sparked a wave of negative reactions online. Professionals such as Hideo Kojima, Shawn Layden, and Laura Fryer have lamented Sony’s new direction, and even Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a candidate for the French presidency, has joined the conversation, reminding everyone that video games are not simply commodities. Now, Yoko Taro has added his voice to the online discussion, stating that he is saddened by the future facing the industry. After all, he had imagined that physical media would never disappear completely.

Taro, who has become a beloved creator thanks to his outstanding work on the NieR series, shared this reflection in a Japanese-language post on X. He recently uploaded a photograph of a physical edition of Hi-Fi RUSH alongside a poignant reminder that the disc format will not always be available to players. That post, in turn, prompted him to write in greater detail about the future he had envisioned for the video game industry.

“Personally, I can’t help but feel sad about the disappearance of physical media, but I suppose it’s the natural course of things,” the creator of NieR began. “Since controlling physical distribution is inherently an advantage over platforms like Steam, I thought that even with the push for digital distribution, there would come a future where only high-priced limited editions would continue to be sold in physical format, just like with CD distribution. It’s a shame I was wrong.”

The Future Envisioned by Yoko Taro Has Already Reached Other Industries

Taro is not the only person who envisioned this kind of evolution for physical media. Other entertainment industries, such as film and music, have also changed to rely more heavily on digital platforms, including streaming services that provide access to movies, series, and music. Consumers, however, still have the option of purchasing physical editions of many products, keeping them on their shelves, and enjoying them even after those experiences leave subscription services. For a long time, it appeared that video games could follow a similar path, but PlayStation’s decision points toward a completely digital future.

Whatever happens, players refuse to accept this fate and are fighting every day on social media to remind everyone that physical media is still valued. Every new PlayStation post on X is accompanied by a wave of criticism from users who want to continue purchasing disc-based games after 2028. Sony remains stubborn and continues to ignore the storm that has erupted in recent days, but the community is driving a campaign with a very clear message: no disc, no purchase.

Source: 3DJuegos