Ken Kutaragi Attributes Backlash to Digital Media to 'Mentality Issue'

The 'Father of PlayStation' suggests resistance to abandoning physical discs stems from consumer mindset rather than technological limitations.

Oct 16, 2026
Industry & Business
Ken Kutaragi Attributes Backlash to Digital Media to 'Mentality Issue'

Ken Kutaragi, widely recognized as the 'Father of PlayStation,' has offered his perspective on the ongoing shift away from physical media in the gaming industry, attributing the backlash to this transition to a 'mentality issue' among consumers. Kutaragi, a key figure in the development of Sony's iconic console, believes that resistance to the end of physical discs on the platform he helped pioneer is rooted in ingrained consumer habits and perspectives.

While Kutaragi does not appear to be particularly sentimental about the phasing out of physical media, his comments suggest that the industry's move towards digital-only distribution is encountering friction not because of inherent flaws in the technology, but due to a consumer mindset that remains attached to the tangible nature of game discs. This perspective implies that overcoming this hurdle may require a shift in how players perceive and value digital game ownership, rather than solely focusing on the convenience or technical aspects of digital delivery.

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