FF7 Revelation Director: 'I Did My Best' on Disc Release

Ever popped a disc into your console only to be told you still need to download half the game? That's exactly the situation Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi is addressing head-on.

In a new interview with Radio Times, Hamaguchi opened up about the push for physical media as the industry inches toward an all-digital future. He revealed that he personally fought for Final Fantasy 7 Revelation to get a disc release, even as the tide turns against physical copies. "I used my position to put forth an argument for the physical version as much as possible," he said, noting that the effort involved negotiations both internally and with first parties.

The result? Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will have a disc option when it launches on April 8, 2027, for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. But there's a catch: the disc is essentially a "key disc" that only contains the opening. To get the full experience, you'll need to download the rest—and it's a hefty download at that. That decision has left some fans split, but Hamaguchi insists it wasn't taken lightly.

"I do really like and appreciate physical media," he said. "I see a lot of people on social media saying, 'No disc, no purchase,' and I understand where they're coming from." He also shared his personal connection to physical games, recalling how he bought lots of physical editions as a child and still prefers physical versions for titles he's particularly attached to. He even mentioned wanting to get signed copies from friends who worked on games.

Hamaguchi acknowledged that his authority on product line-up and SKUs is limited—that's the publishing team's domain. But he still used his position to argue for the physical version. "I completely understand there are those out there who may not really agree with that direction or approve of that direction," he said. "But I would just say that I hope you understand that I completely see where you're coming from, and that I did my best." He added with a laugh, "It is a very tricky subject."

The timing of this debate is no accident. PlayStation is set to phase out physical releases for new PS5 games, and Rockstar recently announced a disc-less release for Grand Theft Auto 6. Sony's decision sent shockwaves through the industry, and it seems the all-digital future is arriving sooner than many expected. Even so, Hamaguchi believes physical media will remain in some form going forward. He envisions a world where you might get a code on a piece of paper inside a box instead of a disc.

For now, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation's disc strategy is set, and it's clear Hamaguchi feels the weight of fan expectations. "I did my best," he said. It's a sentiment many physical media fans can respect, even if they wish the outcome were different.

What do you think about the future of physical games? Will you be picking up the disc version of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, or are you going all-digital? Let us know in the comments!