The Fight for Physical Media
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director 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 the upcoming remake chapter opened up about the state of gaming during an interview with Radio Times. It is a topic he has 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, Hamaguchi bought lots of physical editions of games as a child. While he sometimes buys digital editions, titles he feels particularly attached to warrant physical versions, noting that being in the industry also makes it special to get friends and acquaintances who worked on a project to sign a physical copy.
Disc Strategy and Caveats
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is confirmed to have a disc option when it launches in 2027, but with caveats. When physical owners on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X pop their discs in, the full experience will require an additional, substantial download. It is a decision that has some fans split, but not one Hamaguchi and the team at Square Enix took lightly.
Hamaguchi acknowledged seeing social media pushback from players demanding full discs, noting that he understands where those concerns originate.
While acknowledging that the game features a disc alternative—even if it functions primarily as a key disc containing the opening data—Hamaguchi addressed the community members with strong opinions on the future of physical media.
Directorial Responsibilities
Addressing requests for a full disc version, Hamaguchi clarified that his responsibility as director is to oversee the game's content and ensure it is fun and exciting. He noted that product lineups, SKUs, and sales strategies fall under the publishing team's purview, limiting his direct authority in those areas.
Despite pressure for completely disc-less editions, Hamaguchi used his position to advocate for a physical version as much as possible. Internal negotiations and discussions with first-party partners ultimately resulted in the game's single-disc strategy.
He acknowledged that some players may disagree with the chosen direction, emphasizing that he understands their perspective and did his best during negotiations.
He described the situation as a very tricky subject for the industry.
Release Details and Industry Trends
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is scheduled to release with a physical disc option for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on April 8, 2027. The launch arrives amid broader shifts in the industry regarding physical media, including changing console strategies and publisher initiatives.
While gaming fans anticipated an all-digital future eventually, the transition appears to be accelerating. Hamaguchi expressed belief that physical media will remain in some form moving forward, though change is undeniable.
He noted that the PC market continues to grow stronger with widespread adoption of digital copy purchases and downloads.
Looking further ahead, Hamaguchi envisioned a potential future where physical media is essentially disc-less, potentially consisting of a code printed on paper inside a physical box.
Further details regarding Square Enix's physical release approach for the title have been shared in previous interviews by the director.
