Ken Kutaragi backs Sony’s plan to end PS5 disc support in 2028

Ken Kutaragi, the former PlayStation executive often called the “Father of PlayStation,” has defended Sony’s decision to end support for PS5 game discs in 2028. He spoke about it in an interview with VGC, as reported by GameSpot.

Kutaragi said he understands that people who buy physical copies feel they own their games. He also said he understands why some players are unhappy with the decision. He compared consoles to smartphones, saying people don’t expect physical media on connected devices like phones because they trust that their content will remain available. He also argued that continuing to support discs no longer makes financial sense. “I don’t think it’s economically reasonable,” he said, adding that the debate may come down to how people think about owning games.

He also pointed to changes inside PlayStation. Some of its staff came from outside the games business, including people from streaming companies who joined when Sony bought the streaming service Gaikai. Kutaragi said he can see why those employees might view PlayStation as “not just a game console, but also a content terminal.” He acknowledged that this view has caused friction with dedicated players.

According to GameSpot, Sony has described ending disc support as a natural step as it follows consumer trends. GameSpot noted that Sony still sells millions of physical games each year. In some regions, more than half of new PS5 game sales are physical. However, players have been moving steadily toward digital purchases.

GameSpot also reported that Nintendo does not plan to drop physical games for now. Microsoft has not said what it plans to do with discs on Xbox.