PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi addresses shift to digital gaming

PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi has commented on Sony's decision to move away from physical disc production, suggesting that consumer resistance to digital-only formats may be a “mentality issue.”

Speaking to VGC, Kutaragi noted that increased global connectivity has fundamentally changed game distribution compared to the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 eras. While acknowledging that physical discs serve as a “metaphor for ‘owning’ games,” he compared the console experience to smartphone usage, where users readily accept digital content without concerns regarding access.

Economic data supports the shift toward digital media. In the United States, physical media accounted for only 2.86% of total gaming sales in 2025, representing approximately $1.5 billion of a $52.4 billion market. Kutaragi suggested that as gaming companies pivot toward digital formats, executives may increasingly view consoles as content platforms similar to streaming services.