Dan Houser, who co-founded Rockstar Games and shaped franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, says the gaming industry should listen to its audience when it comes to physical releases. Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Houser struck a pragmatic note on a topic that has divided the gaming community in recent months.
"If people want that, I think companies should provide it," Houser told IGN, though he acknowledged his own indifference to the format. The remarks come as PlayStation confirmed plans to stop manufacturing new physical games starting January 2028, and as Grand Theft Auto fans grapple with news that GTA 6 will arrive digital-only when it launches this November.
Houser also acknowledged a genuine upside to the shift toward digital distribution. "The ability to update and fix problems in games has been really useful for the quality of games," he said, recognizing that post-launch patches and improvements have become standard practice across the industry.
Lazlow Jones, who previously worked alongside Houser at Rockstar and now joins him at Absurd Ventures, offered a more nuanced perspective on the physical versus digital divide. Jones described the tangible satisfaction of holding a finished product while also championing digital convenience for gaming on the go.
"We all have that sort of feeling when you get that copy, and you put the disc in the console, but I also have to say I really like being at the airport and going, 'Oh, cool. I can download some quick games to my Steam Deck for this 12-hour flight,'" Jones explained. He highlighted the creative fulfillment that comes with producing a physical object, even as digital options expand possibilities.
Houser reinforced his affection for the tangible medium, interjecting simply: "I love physical media."
The conversation reflects broader industry tensions. Major developers and creators have weighed in on the subject recently, including Nier creator Yoko Taro, Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima, and Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, each offering their own takes on the evolving landscape.
Houser now focuses his efforts on Absurd Ventures, the company he founded and announced in 2023, stepping back from his day-to-day role at Rockstar while remaining a prominent voice in industry discussions.
Author Emily Chen: "Houser's stance feels like the only reasonable one in this debate: respect what players are asking for, but don't ignore the genuine technical benefits digital distribution has brought to game development."
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