Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi has addressed fan concerns regarding the game's physical release strategy, stating that he advocated for a disc version as strongly as possible despite the industry's move towards a "disc-less" future. Hamaguchi shared his perspective in an interview with Radio Times, detailing his personal appreciation for physical media.
"Personally, obviously, I bought lots of physical editions of games as a child," Hamaguchi explained. "Sometimes I buy digital editions of games, but if I'm particularly attached to a title, I want to get the physical version." He noted that the topic of a fully digital future has become "particularly sensitive" in recent months.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is confirmed to include a disc option for its 2027 launch. However, players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X who opt for the physical version will still need to download a substantial amount of data to access the full game. Hamaguchi acknowledged that the disc serves as a "key disc" containing only the game's opening, and he understands the sentiment of fans who have stated "no disc, no purchase."
While the director's purview is focused on the game's content, Hamaguchi stated he "used [his] position to put forth an argument for the physical version as much as possible." This involved internal negotiations and discussions with platform holders, ultimately leading to the one-disc strategy for Revelation. He expressed understanding for those who may not agree with this direction, emphasizing, "I did my best."
The game is slated for release on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on April 8, 2027. Hamaguchi anticipates that physical media will persist in some form, though he foresees a future where physical releases are essentially disc-less, possibly containing only a code within the packaging. This outlook aligns with industry shifts, such as Sony's announced cessation of physical disc production for new PlayStation games in January 2028, and Rockstar's reported disc-less launch for Grand Theft Auto 6.