Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, has spent the last few months listening to fans tell him he wants a full disc version of the game. Now he has a response: “I did my best.”
In an interview with Radio Times, Hamaguchi opened up about the state of gaming, and specifically about the push for physical media in an era moving toward all-digital releases. The director, who leads next year’s new remake chapter, explained how his own fondness for physical games drove him to fight for at least one disc release. But he also admitted that his authority only goes so far.
The Director’s Own History With Physical Media
Hamaguchi grew up buying physical editions of games, and he still does. “Personally, obviously, I bought lots of physical editions of games as a child,” he said. “Sometimes I buy digital editions of games, but if I’m particularly attached to a title, I want to get the physical version.”
He noted that the topic of a fully digital future has become “particularly sensitive” in recent months. He also pointed to a personal habit that many fans will recognise: wanting a signed copy of a friend’s work. “And you know, being in the industry, sometimes I want to get my friends or acquaintances who’ve worked on something to sign a copy of their own game.”
His attachment runs deep. He understands why some players will walk away from a game that doesn’t come on disc. “I see a lot of people on social media saying, ‘No disc, no purchase,’ and I understand where they’re coming from,” he said.
The Disc Option Exists, But It Isn’t What Everyone Wanted
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will have a disc option when it launches in 2027. That much is confirmed. But there are caveats. Players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X who pop the disc in won’t get the full experience. They’ll need an additional download, and it’s a hefty one.
Some fans are split on the decision. Hamaguchi acknowledged the pushback, but he said the team at Square Enix didn’t take the choice lightly. “I do really like and appreciate physical media,” he said.
The Director’s Limited Authority Over SKU Lineup
When fans told him to give them a full disc version, Hamaguchi had a ready answer. But it wasn’t the one they wanted to hear.
“First of all, I’ve got people saying to me on social media, ‘Give us a full disc version!'” he said. “And so, from an overall perspective, let me first say that as the director, it’s my responsibility to look after the content of the game to make sure it’s fun, really exciting.”
Then he smiled. “The product line-up, the SKUs, how it’s going on sale; that is the responsibility of the publishing team. So, my authority there is somewhat limited.”
That admission is the heart of the whole exchange. Hamaguchi is the director, but he is not the person deciding which versions of the game get released. That responsibility sits elsewhere, and he made that clear without hiding behind jargon.
Fighting For The Disc, Internally And With First Parties
Hamaguchi said he used his position to argue for the physical version as much as possible. “I used my position to put forth an argument for the physical version as much as possible,” he said.
Those arguments led to negotiations. “Both internally and with first parties,” he said, describing the path to Final Fantasy 7 Revelation’s one-disc strategy. He acknowledged that not everyone agrees with the direction.
“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.”
What The Disc Actually Contains
The disc is not a full game. It is a key disc, Hamaguchi said, with “the opening” on it. That means the physical package is a starting point, not the finished product.
Fans who want the whole game will need to download additional content. That requirement has already split opinion, and Hamaguchi’s own words suggest he knows it. He understands that “there are people out there with a lot of opinions” about the future of physical media.
The Industry’s Move Toward Digital
Gaming fans have expected an all-digital future to arrive at some point. It seems to be happening sooner than most expected.
Elsewhere in the interview, Hamaguchi said he thinks “physical media will remain in some form going forward,” but it’s impossible to deny that change is coming. He pointed to the PC market as evidence.
“But the PC market, for example, is going from strength to strength, and lots of people already purchase digital copies of games and just download them,” he said. “So, I can see a world in the not-too-distant future where physical media is essentially disc-less. You would have a copy of the code on a piece of paper inside the physical box or something like that.”
That vision is striking. A physical box with a printed code inside it, instead of a working disc. It’s a future where the package is ritual rather than function.
Release Dates And Platforms
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will release with a disc for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on April 8, 2027. The disc option exists, but it is not a complete game.
| Platform | Disc Option |
|---|---|
| PC | Yes |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Yes |
| PS5 | Yes |
| Xbox Series X/S | Yes |
The launch strategy hasn’t pleased everyone. But it arrives months before PlayStation phases out physical releases for new PS5 games.
What Hamaguchi Said About Digital Gaming
The director’s position is consistent across his comments. He loves physical media. He fights for it. He understands the complaints. He respects the people who disagree.
He also respects the limits of his role. His authority is over the game itself, not the SKU lineup. That is a useful reminder for anyone who expects a director to control everything.
The Bottom Line
Hamaguchi did his best. He fought for a disc release, negotiated with publishers and platform holders, and secured a physical option. The result is a compromise: a disc that starts the game, with the rest delivered digitally.
Whether that satisfies the fans who said “no disc, no purchase” remains to be seen. The director understands their position, and he made that clear in every answer. He sees where they’re coming from, and he hopes they see where he’s coming from.
The future of physical media is changing, and Hamaguchi is living through it. He bought discs as a child, and he still buys them now. He wants his friends to sign a copy of their own work. He wants players to have a choice.
He got the choice. The disc exists. Whether it is enough is a question only the fans can answer.
Key Facts Box
– Release Date: April 8, 2027
– Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
– Disc Type: Key disc with “the opening”
– Download Required: Additional content needed for full experience
– Director’s Statement: “I did my best”
Platform Comparison
| Platform | Disc Option | Download Required |
|———-|————-|——————-|
| PC | Yes | Additional content |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Yes | Additional content |
| PS5 | Yes | Additional content |
| Xbox Series X/S | Yes | Additional content |
What To Expect On Launch Day
– Disc owners will insert the key disc to start the game
– Additional download required for full experience
– Physical box may contain a code on paper, per Hamaguchi’s vision
Source material: “'I Did My Best' — Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Responds to Fans Asking for Full Disc Version,” IGN.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.