A Shift Away from Physical Ownership

For over a decade, the gaming landscape has been steadily moving away from physical media. Factors such as the rising cost of discs, the rise of digital-only hardware, and reports that major industry players may phase out disc production by 2028 have sparked significant concern. These trends worry not only gaming historians and advocates for player rights but also industry icons like Hideo Kojima.


Kojima’s Personal Connection to Physical Formats

During a recent discussion at the Il Cinema in Piazza film festival, Kojima opened up about his feelings regarding the decline of tangible media. Having grown up in an era where physical collections were the standard, he finds the industry's trajectory disheartening.

«Since production is ending in 2028, this is about videogames, but I grew up with physical media, so I find it really sad. Currently, I've been buying up a lot of Blu-rays, such as various movies, and CDs too.»

The Risks of a Streaming-Only Future

Kojima points out a critical distinction between current digital downloads and the looming shift toward pure streaming models. While digital games currently reside on local hardware, streaming services function differently. He notes:

  • Access vs. Ownership: With services like Netflix or Amazon, users purchase the right to access content rather than owning the data itself.
  • Server Dependency: If the central servers hosting the content are shut down or become unavailable due to geopolitical or economic changes, the user loses access to their library entirely.

As Kojima explains,

«There are companies that own these servers and let you 'turn the tap' for a monthly fee. However, with nations, politics, and various ways of thinking, one naturally has to consider the possibility that if there is a change, the data inside will stop being distributed. And if that happens you won't be able to watch or play the movies and games you like. That is what is frightening.»


A Warning for Other Media

The developer concluded his thoughts by suggesting that the current challenges facing the gaming industry regarding digital preservation should be viewed as a warning for other sectors, including film and music. He urged audiences to remain vigilant, stating, «What is happening to videogames in 2028, might also happen to movies. I'd like everyone to keep that in mind.»