Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director fought for full disc

The director of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation has defended his efforts to secure a full disc release for the upcoming sequel, acknowledging fan frustration while explaining the limitations he faced in negotiations with the publisher.

Naoki Hamaguchi told Radio Times that he personally values physical media and wanted to deliver a complete disc version. He recalled buying physical game copies as a child and expressed his preference for owning tangible editions of titles he cares about, noting that the debate around physical versus digital has become "particularly sensitive" recently.

When Final Fantasy 7 Revelation launches in April 2027, it will include a physical disc option for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X players. However, that disc will function only as a key to unlock the opening portion of the game—players will need to download the remainder of the content to experience the full title. Hamaguchi acknowledged this compromise, saying he understands why some fans have declared "no disc, no purchase" as their position.

Hamaguchi explained that his authority as director covers the game's content and quality, but decisions about product editions and sales strategy fall to the publishing team. Despite this limitation, he said he advocated internally and with platform holders to include any physical media at all, resulting in the single-disc approach that ultimately shipped with the game. He emphasized that while he recognizes fans' concerns, he did everything within his power to push for a better outcome.

The game will release on 8th April 2027 across Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Hamaguchi predicted that physical media will persist in some form, though he acknowledged a future where discs disappear entirely and physical packages contain only download codes printed on paper.

Sony's decision to halt PlayStation game disc production effective January 2028 underscores the industry's shift toward digital distribution. PlayStation titles will continue selling at retail locations after that date, but without physical media inside the boxes.

Separately, Hamaguchi noted that Final Fantasy 7 Revelation's Platinum trophy will be easier to obtain than its predecessor Rebirth, which was designed to be challenging to complete.