Ken Kutaragi supports Sony’s PS5 disc plan for 2028
Ken Kutaragi responds to Sony’s plan to phase out PS5 disc support in 2028, saying he understands the emotion around physical games.
- According to GameSpot and IGN, Sony would stop PS5 disc support in 2028; the exact scope of that move is not fully explained in the provided sources.
- The debate comes as Sony is still said to sell millions of physical games each year, with physical sales making up more than 50% of new PS5 game sales in some regions.
What happened
GameSpot published an article and video on October 16, 2026, in which Ken Kutaragi responded to Sony’s direction on PS5 discs. Kutaragi, often called the “Father of PlayStation,” said he understands why some players feel that a physical copy means true ownership, according to the reporting.
At the same time, he argued that from an economic standpoint it no longer makes sense to keep supporting discs. In the provided summaries, his response is also described as a “mentality issue”: players associate discs with ownership, while the market is steadily moving toward digital.
Sony is said to view that shift as a natural response to changing consumer behavior. However, the same reporting also says Sony still sells millions of physical games per year, and that in some regions more than 50% of new PS5 game sales are physical.
The exact meaning of “end support for PS5 game discs” remains unclear in the provided sources. It is not confirmed whether this refers to ending new disc releases, disc hardware, or another form of support.
Timeline
October 16, 2026: GameSpot publishes an article and video about Kutaragi’s response to Sony’s disc policy.
October 16, 2026: the video description says Sony still sells millions of physical games per year.
October 16, 2026: the same description says physical sales account for more than 50% of new PS5 game sales in some regions.
2028: according to the provided sources, Sony would then end support for PS5 game discs.
Background
The core of the debate is the tension between physical ownership and digital distribution. Kutaragi links the move toward digital to the way people use smartphones and other networked devices, where physical media plays a smaller role.
The sources also note that Sony’s teams now include people with streaming and network backgrounds, including through the Gaikai acquisition. That context is used to frame Sony’s digital direction, but the provided text does not include a full quote or complete explanation of Kutaragi’s reasoning on that point.
Sources
- GameSpot: “Killing PS5 Discs Just Makes Sense, Even If It Angers People, Former PlayStation Exec Says”
- IGN: “The 'Father of PlayStation' Responds to Killing Discs Backlash”
- GameSpot video: “No One Can Afford Consoles Anymore”