Disgaea creator Sohei Niikawa has argued that Sony should get rid of game consoles entirely if it stops producing physical discs, stating that a television would be enough to play games. His comments follow Sony's decision to cease manufacturing physical PlayStation game discs, sparking debate about the future of console gaming.
Physical games as keepsakes
Speaking to Noisy Pixel at Anime Expo 2026, Niikawa emphasized the emotional value of physical games. He said having a game as a physical object 'can have a great deal of value' because they serve as 'a memory or a keepsake' that fans can have signed at conventions and display at home.
'From a purely business perspective, I can understand why the people at Sony would make that decision,' Niikawa said. 'However, the executives who decided it have probably never experienced coming to an event like Anime Expo and having someone approach them with a physical game to ask for an autograph. I don't think they understand the feelings of those fans, and they may never have considered what physical editions mean to the people who value them.'
Consoles become redundant without discs
Niikawa went further, arguing that without physical games, consoles are effectively unnecessary. 'If they're going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware too,' he added. 'A television would be enough. Why would you need the console? If you're going to get rid of physical games, you may as well go all the way.'
His argument gains weight as console prices soar, making them unaffordable for many. Combined with high game costs in a digital-only market with little retailer competition, consumers may see little incentive to choose a console over a PC. The main advantage consoles still hold is guaranteed performance on top-end games, but many young players prioritize platforms like Minecraft and Roblox over graphical fidelity.
Impact on PlayStation 6 sales uncertain
Despite the controversy, it remains unclear whether the no-disc policy will affect PlayStation 6 sales. Sony has not announced a release date for the console, but following the disc announcement, it is expected in 2028. While data shows most gamers buy digital, a vocal minority has launched online petitions and threatened to boycott the PlayStation 6. A Sony reversal appears unlikely.
