FF7 Revelation Director Fought for Physical Disc Release, but Fears a Disc-Less Future

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi has opened up about one of the more contentious issues surrounding the concluding chapter of the FF7 Remake trilogy: its physical release. In response to fans pushing for a complete, fully playable disc version of the game, Hamaguchi acknowledged that he personally lobbied Square Enix on their behalf. "There's a lot of pressure for disc-less editions, digital editions, and I used my position to put forth an argument for the physical version as much as I could," he said, adding that he "did his best" to make it happen. His candid remarks shine a light on the growing tension between publisher cost-saving strategies and the preferences of a fanbase that still values owning a tangible copy of a game.

Despite his advocacy, Hamaguchi struck a resigned tone about the broader trajectory of the industry, suggesting that the gaming world is heading toward a "future where physical media will eventually be essentially disc-less." Separately, the director also addressed the creative philosophy behind the trilogy, stating that making each individual game a complete, satisfying experience was "non-negotiable" from the very beginning of development. He was equally firm that it was "absolutely essential" to avoid letting the remake become what he called "my own personal fan project," stressing the importance of honoring the legacy of the 1997 original while still delivering something fresh for a new generation of players.

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