The shift away from physical game media, particularly with Sony's apparent move toward a disc-less future, has evoked a sense of sadness among the creators of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. In a recent interview with Automaton, Guillaume Broche, CEO and Creative Director at Sandfall Interactive, shared his personal affinity for physical game collections.
Broche stated that he "really like[s] video game stores" and that many on his team enjoy collecting physical discs for their PS5. He views the tangible nature of game discs as integral to the art form, saying, "I think it's part of the beauty of art too – that it's something tangible that you can touch." He believes that owning a physical copy provides a sense of genuine ownership, a sentiment he finds diminished in a purely digital landscape.
Tom Guillermin, CTO and co-founder of Sandfall Interactive, echoed these feelings. While acknowledging that physical releases introduce constraints and reduce per-copy profit, he emphasized their special significance. "For us, physical was something special," Guillermin said. "We also felt that the game could be special to players, and that they would want to, as Guillaume said, hold it in their hands."
Broche also recounted a personal experience of seeing Clair Obscur in a Japanese video game store, a moment that made the game feel "real" to him, akin to a childhood joy. Alan Reynaud, lead character and concept artist, shared a similar sentiment, noting that spotting their game in a store still brightens his day. He expressed a fondness for the simple act of "go[ing] outside, buy[ing] a game, and com[ing] back home with it."
Technical artist Alexandre Breton added that physical copies serve as lasting mementos, allowing players to revisit their collections years later and recall memories associated with each game. The eventual decline of physical media could contribute to a future where game ownership is ultimately dictated by publishers and platforms, a prospect that raises concerns about long-term game preservation.