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‘Father of PlayStation’ backs disc phase-out but understands fan anger

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Neutral summary

Ken Kutaragi, the former Sony Interactive Entertainment president who created the first three PlayStation consoles, has weighed in on Sony’s announcement that it will end support for PS5 game discs in 2028. Speaking to VGC at the Game Republic New Horizons event held in the UK this week, he said he understands that people think they ‘own’ games when they buy them physically. However, he argued that ‘nobody thinks [physical media] is necessary for a networked device like a smartphone, for example, because people feel that they will keep their content.’ Kutaragi said he ‘really’ understands why some people are upset about the decision, noting that Sony continues to sell millions of physical games annually and that in some regions, physical copies account for more than 50% of new PS5 game sales. Nevertheless, he believes maintaining disc-based games is no longer economically viable and that the industry must change the perception of digital ownership. GameSpot reports that consumer data increasingly points toward digital purchases, supporting the shift.

How it was framed

Outlets: 4. Countries: 4. Facts in the shared core: 4.

Publication timeline

  1. · VGC (outlet profile)

    Ken Kutaragi ‘understands’ why PlayStation fans don’t want to give up physical games. 'Father of PlayStation' suggests game companies need to change sentiment around digital ownership

  2. · GameSpot (outlet profile)

    Killing PS5 Discs Just Makes Sense, Even If It Angers People, Former PlayStation Exec Says. Ken Kutaragi, the former PlayStation executive known colloquially as the "Father of PlayStation," has reacted to the ongoing de…

  3. · Vandal (outlet profile)

    El padre de PlayStation cree que los discos ya no tienen sentido, aunque entiende el enfado de los jugadores. Ken Kutaragi, creador de las primeras tres consolas de Sony, cree que mantener los juegos en disco ya no tien…

  4. · StopGame (outlet profile)

    «Отец PlayStation» считает отказ Sony от дисков экономически оправданным. Кэн Кутараги (Ken Kutaragi), которого называют «отцом PlayStation», понимает, почему поклонники консолей Sony не хотят отказываться от физических…

Factual core

  • Ken Kutaragi, creator of the first three PlayStation consoles, said physical game discs no longer make economic sense.
  • Kutaragi said the industry must change the perception of digital ownership.
  • Ken Kutaragi is known as the 'Father of PlayStation'.
  • Kutaragi said current Sony leaders may be moving PlayStation away from the traditional console concept toward a connected platform.

Full methodology →

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