Rockstar Co-Founder Says Companies Should Give a Physical Game Option
"If people want that, I think companies should provide it."
In an interview with IGN during Comic-Con 2026, Dan Houser was asked for his opinion on the physical vs. digital media debate, and he said he isn't sure he cares, but "if people want that, I think companies should provide it." He also mentioned that digital releases allow updates and bug fixes in games, which is really useful for quality.
Former Rockstar writer Lazlow Jones, who was also in the interview, said that it's fulfilling having a physical thing, but he also likes being able to download games at any given moment.
The debate started when it was first announced that GTA 6 won't get a physical format at launch, and then Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that new PlayStation games will be available only digitally starting January 2028; according to them, "this transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today."
Nonetheless, the gamer community commented heavily on that, not precisely in favor, especially the part of the community that collects, preserves, has limited internet access, or worries about long-term ownership.
Shortly after Sony Interactive Entertainment's announcement, the petition Don't Kill the Disc: Tell Sony to Keep Physical PlayStation Games was created by Jade Pearce, CEO of PNP Games Inc. In the petition, Pearce states that they're not against digital, but against that being the only option. As of right now, it has 346,824 verified signatures (including mine).
Houser's stance points to a very important aspect in every market: the consumer's opinions and desires. Being able to physically own a game isn't just rewarding; it's also part of a much bigger experience, one that many players aren't ready to let die.
Don't forget to subscribe to our Newsletter, join our 80 Level Talent platform and Discord, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, and Instagram, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.
Are you a fan of what we do here at 80 Level? Then make sure to set us as a Preferred Source on Google to see more of our content in your feed.
