Sohei Niikawa, the creator of the popular RPG series Disgaea, has voiced strong criticism regarding Sony's stated intention to move away from the production and sale of physical media. Niikawa suggested that if Sony is committed to eliminating physical game discs, the company should also consider discontinuing its hardware.
Speaking in an interview with Noisy Pixel at Anime Expo 2026, Niikawa acknowledged a potential business rationale behind Sony's decision but expressed his dissatisfaction. He highlighted the personal experience of attending events like Anime Expo, where fans might approach developers for autographs on physical game copies. Niikawa posited that executives making such decisions may not grasp the significance of physical media to consumers and creators.
"If they're going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware, too," Niikawa stated. "A television would be enough. Why would you need the console? If you're going to get rid of physical games, you may as well go all the way."
Niikawa was at Anime Expo 2026 to promote his new game, Demons' Night Fever. He is now working with a new studio, having left Nippon Ichi, the developer of Disgaea. Published by Arc System Works, Demons' Night Fever is described as a strategy RPG featuring hellish imagery and high damage numbers, slated for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.
Sony's announcement on July 1st regarding its shift away from physical media has faced considerable backlash from both players and industry professionals. Despite this opposition, Sony has not indicated any intention to reverse its decision, and it appears unlikely that external pressures, such as those from entities like the European Union, will alter the company's course.