Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi has stated that he is actively working to ensure the game receives a physical edition. However, he cautioned that no guarantees can be made at this point, as internal discussions regarding the final product lineup are still ongoing.
Speaking with GamesRadar, Hamaguchi acknowledged the importance of physical releases for many fans. "We’re still having internal discussions on what the exact SKU product lineup is going to be for Rebirth," he said. "So, I can’t say anything particularly definitive at this point in time. But I am working to make the arrangements to allow us to have some kind of physical edition."
He highlighted that platform-specific rules and regulations, such as storage limitations on game cartridges for platforms like Nintendo, can complicate these decisions. The development team is carefully considering what format will best suit the game, with the hope of delivering a product that meets player and fan expectations. Future announcements will provide more concrete details.
Hamaguchi also shared his personal sentiment, expressing optimism that some form of physical commemoration, even if it's just a code in a box or a game key card, will be available. He values the cultural aspect of fans seeking autographs on physical game items and believes it would be a shame to lose this tradition. "I do feel, as a developer and as a fan, that the general trend is for things to shift away from physical towards downloadable games. But that’s obviously talking about the trend. Personally... I really think that people bringing up things, asking for autographs. I think that’s lovely. I think it’s a wonderful culture and it would be a shame to lose that. I want that to remain."
The discussion around physical versus digital releases comes as the industry sees shifts. While PlayStation's formal digital-only strategy is not set to begin until January 2028, some games are already moving away from physical discs. Grand Theft Auto 6, for instance, is reportedly foregoing a disc release, a move speculated to be related to preventing pre-release leaks. This trend suggests that more publishers may reduce physical offerings in the future.