PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi says discs became “metaphor for ‘owning’ games”, and that upset at their discontinuation is a “mentality issue”
By Image credit: Sony / PlayStation
Ken Kutaragi, the creator of PlayStation and designer of the initial three PlayStation consoles, has mentioned that individuals being frustrated about Sony’s cessation of game discs is likely a “mindset issue”. He comprehends it, he pointed out, but that doesn’t render it “financially sensible” for Sony to continue producing them.
Kutaragi spoke with Video Games Chronicle at the Game Republic New Horizons event, where he stated: “I realize that physical discs have transformed into a symbol of ‘owning’ games. I genuinely grasp that mindset… However, no one believes [physical media] is essential for a connected device like a smartphone, for instance, because people feel that they will retain their content. Thus, it’s a mindset.
“I truly understand [why certain individuals are unhappy],” he added, “but I don’t consider it financially sensible. Perhaps it’s a mindset issue.”
A brief history of console reveals… – Eurogamer
Ken Kutaragi appears in the PS3 segment of this video.Watch on YouTube
Kutaragi stepped down from PlayStation in June 2007, shortly following the PlayStation 3’s launch in Europe, thus he’s been away from the company for quite some time. Two generations of consoles have transpired since his departure, although I’m certain he maintains close connections to Sony and its employees. “I’m no longer the CEO at PlayStation,” he acknowledged in the interview, “but we still share some common [viewpoints].”
Perhaps Sony is moving toward an entirely digital device, he commented, similar to the trends seen with smartphones and other gadgets. “Maybe that’s the way those individuals are contemplating,” he remarked. “However, this has led to some tension with gaming fans.”
Kutaragi, who currently serves as the CEO of Ascent Robotics and leads Cyber AI Entertainment, also highlighted concerns regarding the cost of hardware in today’s market plagued by component shortages. He mentioned that machines are “incredibly costly and that’s not a healthy scenario”; statements supported by recent reports indicating that the PlayStation 6’s memory and storage alone allegedly surpass $680.
