Sega President Says ‘We Still Value The Culture Of Physical Media

Sega, once a stalwart of hardware, historically shipped its beloved Sonic titles in sturdy plastic cases—a stark contrast to Nintendo’s early cardboard boxes. After the Dreamcast marked the end of its console era, President Shuji Utsumi acknowledges that legacy still matters, yet he stresses that the ongoing shift toward digital distribution is now essential.

In a recent interview with Famitsu, translated by Eurogamer, Utsumi highlighted that for what the industry calls “full games” on consoles and PCs, a digital-first approach is indispensable. While consoles remain relevant, the growing PC player base—especially in regions where console penetration lags—demonstrates a clear trend toward PC gaming.

He added that nurturing this expanding market demands a stronger digital focus. Historically, Sega’s mindset has leaned toward tangible media, but the company now aims to balance its physical heritage with a proactive digital strategy to broaden its global reach.

When questioned about physical packaging, Utsumi clarified that Sega remains a platform provider and still cherishes the culture of physical media. Nonetheless, the company is actively pursuing a dual path, striving to preserve key elements of physical distribution while simultaneously advancing digital media initiatives.

While the conversation originally centered on Sony’s planned discontinuation of PlayStation discs in 2028, the underlying takeaway is far broader: Sega, alongside peers such as Capcom, is realigning its entire business model to prioritize PC as the cornerstone of its gaming strategy, rather than relying on traditional home‑console platforms.

Echoing this sentiment, Ubisoft’s chief executive Yves Guillemot highlighted during a recent earnings call that PC has long embraced a fully digital ecosystem, which has spurred continuous growth. Although the PC market hosts multiple storefronts, truly DRM‑free releases remain the exception rather than the rule.