As Sony announced that all new PlayStation games will cease physical disc production starting January 2028, shifting to digital-only purchases via the PlayStation Store and partner retailers, the gaming community has once again ignited discussions about digital ownership and game preservation. Notably, a post by Hideo Kojima from four years ago, addressing the risks of digital media, has been unearthed by players, leading many to jokingly label him a "time traveler."
In fact, as we reported in August 2021, Kojima had previously issued a warning:
"Even if something becomes data, true ownership does not reside with the individual. Consider a scenario where a major incident or accident involving the world, a country, a government, or even an idea occurs; these digitized assets could simply vanish."
"At such a time, we might no longer be able to freely enjoy the movies, books, and music we love. This thought stems not from greed, but from genuine worry and fear."
Now, not only has PlayStation announced a disc-less future for new releases, but it has also been reported that over 500 purchased movies will be removed from players' media libraries, making Kojima's past concerns about the inability to freely access content appear remarkably prescient. Following the post's resurgence, many fans commented, "bro saw the future," and others added, "he tried to warn us."
Many players have likened Kojima to Eren Yeager from "Attack on Titan," who possesses the ability to see the future. Some even jokingly called him the gaming world's Paul Atreides from "Dune." While Hideo Kojima may not literally be a time traveler, his warnings about digital media ownership have certainly gained more real-world resonance as PlayStation officially transitions towards a purely digital future.