PlayStation is listening to customer feedback about physical games, according to Nippon Ichi Software and NIS America boss Kenzo Saruhashi, who has suggested discussions with Sony could still change in the future.
Speaking to Kotaku in an interview published on September 25, Saruhashi discussed the impact Sony’s plans could have on publishers that depend on physical releases.
“I think that they’re hearing a lot of the feedback from customers,” he said, referring to his company’s discussions with Sony. He also suggested that those conversations could develop further, leaving some room for optimism about the future of physical games.
Physical editions are particularly important to NIS America, which publishes games from series including Ys and Trails. The company regularly offers limited editions aimed at collectors, and Saruhashi said it intends to continue producing those releases and maintaining the quality its customers expect.
His comments were recorded at PAX West earlier this month. Their publication has offered fresh encouragement to players hoping that feedback from customers and publishers could influence Sony’s approach.
Sony announced in July that physical disc production for new PlayStation games would end from January 2028. Under that plan, new releases would be available through PlayStation Store and retailers in digital formats only. The company said the transition would not affect games released on disc before that date.
Saruhashi’s remarks indicate that publishers are discussing the issue with Sony, but they do not confirm a change in policy. PlayStation has yet to announce a reversal, leaving the future of new physical releases dependent on whether those discussions lead to a different outcome.