Channel 4
Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser has shared his thoughts on the growing debate over physical media, saying companies should continue offering games on disc if that’s what players want, even if he personally has no preference.
Houser spoke during San Diego Comic-Con 2026 alongside former Rockstar collaborator Lazlow Jones. His comments come weeks after Sony’s announcement that PlayStation would stop producing physical disc games from January 2028 spurred debate around digital ownership and game preservation.
Dan Houser shares thoughts on physical games
Speaking to IGN, Houser, when asked whether he cared about seeing games released physically, said he wasn’t personally attached to the format but believed players should still have the choice if there’s demand for disc-based games.
“I don’t know that I care but if people want that, I think companies should provide it, but I don’t know that I personally care,” he said.
Houser did, however, argue that digital releases have benefited the industry by allowing developers to continue improving games after launch.
Rockstar GamesHouser was also asked what he thought about GTA 6 ahead of its release.
“I also think the ability to update games… as critical as people are of digital releases, the ability to update and fix problems in games has been really useful for the quality of games.”
His comments strike a middle ground in a debate that has intensified since Sony confirmed it will discontinue physical PlayStation game discs in 2028. While many players have raised concerns over ownership and game preservation
Former Rockstar writer Lazlow Jones also shared his opinion on the subject, saying he still enjoys owning physical media but appreciates the convenience of digital games when travelling, adding that both formats have their advantages.
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While Houser no longer works at Rockstar, having left the company in 2020, he was also asked about what he thought of GTA 6. “It’s going to go great for them, I’m sure,” he said.
