FF7 Revelation Director Fought for Physical Release Behind the Scenes

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi has gone on record stating he fought hard for a physical edition of the upcoming RPG, acknowledging fan frustration while explaining that the decision on how the game ships ultimately sits with Square Enix’s publishing team, not him.

A Director With Limited Authority Over SKUs

Speaking in an interview with Radio Times, Hamaguchi was candid about the boundaries of his role. As reported by Video Games Chronicle, the director clarified that decisions about product line-ups and how the game goes on sale fall under the publishing team’s jurisdiction, not his. “My authority there is somewhat limited,” he stated directly. That said, he made clear he did not sit on the sidelines when the disc question came up internally.

Hamaguchi described ongoing pressure across the industry toward digital-only releases and said he used whatever influence he had to make the case for physical media. “I used my position to put forth an argument for the physical version as much as possible,” he said, adding that negotiations both inside Square Enix and with platform holders shaped the outcome fans see today.

Why a Full Disc Release Was Off the Table

The practical obstacle is the game’s sheer size. VGC previously reported that Hamaguchi indicated Revelation is likely to weigh in at around 200GB, a figure that pushes the title beyond what even two Blu-ray discs can hold. Earlier entries Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth both shipped across two discs, but that solution is no longer viable at this scale.

The physical edition that does exist will include what Hamaguchi called a “key disc” containing the game’s opening section. After that, players will be prompted to download the remainder of the game. It is not a fully self-contained release, but Hamaguchi said he is proud that some form of physical product was secured at all.

Hamaguchi Acknowledges the “No Disc, No Purchase” Crowd

Hamaguchi made a point of addressing players who have voiced their displeasure online. He noted he has been following the reaction on social media, where phrases like “No disc, no purchase” have circulated since the physical edition’s limitations were confirmed. While he stopped short of promising any change in direction, he was emphatic that their frustration registers with him. “I did my best,” he said, urging unhappy fans to understand that the result reflects the limits of what he could negotiate rather than indifference to their preferences.

Sources: Video Games Chronicle