Hideki Kamiya raises preservation concerns over Sony's digital shift

Renowned game developer Hideki Kamiya has addressed Sony’s plan to cease production of physical PlayStation game discs for all new releases starting in January 2028. While Kamiya noted that he personally has transitioned to purchasing games exclusively in digital formats, he expressed significant concern regarding game preservation.

In an interview with VGC, the creator of Bayonetta and Devil May Cry argued that the primary issue is not the shift from discs to downloads, but rather whether games will remain playable for future generations. He emphasized that intellectual property holders and publishers must take responsibility for ensuring that older titles remain accessible as hardware and distribution platforms evolve.

Kamiya stated that the method of distribution—whether physical or digital—is secondary to the goal of maintaining gaming culture. He highlighted the need for rights holders to ensure games are preserved not just as playable software, but as part of cultural history, citing Hamster Corporation’s Arcade Archives as a positive example of maintaining older titles.