PlayStation Founder Ken Kutaragi Calls Disc Anger a 'Mentality Issue' as Sony Plans 2028 Shutdown
PlayStation founder dismisses backlash over Sony's disc plan
Ken Kutaragi, the founder of PlayStation, has responded to fan anger over Sony's plan to stop making physical game discs. He called the reaction a "mentality issue."
Kutaragi made the comments at the Game Republic New Horizons event. He said he understands that physical discs have become a symbol of "owning" games, but he does not think keeping them is economically reasonable.
The remarks come as Sony faces heavy criticism over its decision to discontinue disc production as of 2028. Fans have gathered more than 385,000 signatures on a "Don't Kill the Disc" petition.
Key numbers and reactions
- More than 385,000 people have signed the "Don't Kill the Disc" petition.
- Sony's disc production is set to end in 2028.
- Kutaragi retired from PlayStation in 2007.
What Kutaragi said
Kutaragi said he understands why some people are upset. "I understand that physical discs have become a metaphor for 'owning' games. I really understand that mentality," he said.
He compared games to content on a networked device like a smartphone. He said people do not feel physical media is necessary there because they believe they will keep their content. "So it's a mentality," he said.
He added that he does not think keeping discs is "economically reasonable."
Kutaragi is best known for leading the design of the first three generations of the PlayStation console. He is currently CEO of the Japanese companies Ascent Robotics and Cyber AI Entertainment.
Former PlayStation exec says the decision hurt Sony's reputation
Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden called the move a "heavily spreadsheeted decision." He said it damaged the company's reputation.
Industry veterans point to publisher profits
Robert Bowling, former creative strategist for Infinity Ward and now studio head at game studio //18.bravo, told Decrypt that publishers are the "only ones ever pushing" to cut physical discs. He said cutting discs can raise profit margins by lowering production costs and by weakening the game reseller market led by companies like GameStop.
Bowling said the debate reflects a split in the industry between those who see games as just a software product and those who see them as art, entertainment, collectibles, and a lifestyle.
Game industry veteran Chris Heatherly said corporate executives are used to "issuing decrees" from their offices and "hiding behind their PR teams," but that this does not work in the social media age. He argued Sony is not "in dialogue" with its audience, so it misjudged how the move would land.
Heatherly called the situation "insult upon injury for gamers who feel used and abused by these console makers in general." He pointed to Steam, where he said people buy far more games than they play because they like to collect them.
Heatherly also said it is not "an entirely rational coherent thought process" to want to own online multiplayer games, since the publisher usually controls the servers. He said there are models for ownership worth discussing, but not what he described as "fake financialized ownership like web3." He said people would likely be satisfied with local access forever and peer-to-peer online services.
Sony's position on digital game ownership
According to court filings, Sony has argued in court that no reasonable consumer believes they own digital games bought on the PlayStation Store. Sony says Store purchases amount to buying a revocable license.
What is confirmed
- Sony plans to discontinue physical game disc production as of 2028.
- The "Don't Kill the Disc" petition has more than 385,000 signatures.
- Kutaragi spoke at the Game Republic New Horizons event and called the reaction a "mentality issue."
- Sony has argued in court that PlayStation Store purchases are a revocable license, not ownership.
What is still unclear
The sources do not say when Sony will make a final decision on the disc plan, how the 2028 timeline might change, or whether Sony will respond to the petition. The claim that publishers alone push disc cuts is the opinion of industry veterans quoted by Decrypt, not a confirmed company statement.
Why this matters for game and crypto owners
The dispute is about what it means to "own" a digital item. For crypto readers, the topic is familiar: a token or NFT can be held in a personal wallet, but access to online services can still depend on a company. Heatherly's comment that web3 ownership is not the answer shows the debate is broader than discs, and that even industry critics do not agree on how digital ownership should work.
Sources
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.