Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser has stated that if players desire physical game releases, "companies should provide it." Houser, who was instrumental in the development of titles like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, shared his perspective on the current state of physical media in the gaming industry during a conversation at San Diego Comic-Con.
While Houser admitted he does not personally have a strong preference between physical and digital formats, he believes consumer demand should be met. He also noted that digital releases have proven beneficial for game quality due to the ability to implement updates and fixes. This discussion comes at a time when the industry is seeing shifts in physical media availability, with PlayStation recently confirming the cessation of new physical game production in early 2028. Grand Theft Auto 6 will also launch without a disc version later this year.
Lazlow Jones, a former Rockstar colleague now at Absurd Ventures with Houser, also weighed in. He expressed a fondness for the tangible experience of inserting a disc into a console, while simultaneously appreciating the convenience of digital downloads for devices like the Steam Deck during long journeys. Jones drew a parallel to the creation of physical comic books at Absurd Ventures, highlighting the fulfillment derived from producing a tangible product.
Houser himself interjected to express his affection for physical media, reinforcing his earlier sentiment. He joins a growing number of prominent industry figures, including Nier creator Yoko Taro, Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima, and Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, who have recently shared their views on the evolving landscape of game distribution.