Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games, has publicly backed physical game releases, stating that if players want games on disc, companies have a responsibility to provide them. His comments came during discussions at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 and sit at the centre of a growing tension between the gaming industry’s push toward digital distribution and strong consumer demand for physical media.
When asked directly about physical game releases, Houser said: “I don’t know that I care but if people want that, I think companies should provide it.” This stance represents a notable position from one of gaming’s most influential figures, especially as Sony and Microsoft rapidly move toward digital-only models, while Nintendo has bucked the trend by committing to continued physical cartridge production for Switch 2.
His comments arrive just weeks after Sony announced that PlayStation would halt production of physical disc games starting January 2028. The announcement sparked considerable backlash from collectors and players who prefer owning physical copies. Consumer research shows widespread preference: 51% of console gamers prefer physical discs over digital purchases, and 57% of gamers oppose companies eliminating physical releases entirely.
Sony’s decision makes financial sense from a narrow lens: digital downloads now represent 85% of PS4 and PS5 sales, with physical copies accounting for just 15%. But this figure masks a deeper issue. Among gamers who prefer physical copies, 81% cite permanent ownership as a key reason, while 70% express concern that digital-only games could become unavailable in the future — a fear grounded in history, as PlayStation Store closures for PS3 and PS Vita left players unable to repurchase titles they once owned.
Houser’s remarks have given hope to fans disappointed by Rockstar’s decision regarding Grand Theft Auto VI. The retail version of GTA VI will not include a playable disc — Rockstar is shipping what it calls “physical” copies that contain only a digital download code. This frustrated consumers enough that some retailers stopped stocking the game entirely. Rockstar has since confirmed that actual disc versions will be available in the months following launch, with a possible December 2026 window for disc editions.
Physical discs provide permanent ownership without reliance on corporate servers or platform policies. They allow resale, trading, and sharing — freedoms that digital licences restrict. Despite representing only 3% of Sony’s gaming revenue, physical media shows resilience: U.S. physical game sales reached $1.6 billion in the 12 months ending May 2026, a modest 3% increase year on year.
Nintendo’s contrasting approach demonstrates that physical media remains commercially viable. While Sony and Xbox push digital, Nintendo continues releasing dozens of physical Switch 2 games with third-party publishers regularly offering titles in physical form, including major releases and collector editions. More than half of gamers say they would be less likely to choose a gaming system that does not support physical games (53%).
Dan Houser no longer runs day-to-day operations at Rockstar — his brother Sam Houser remains in charge — so whether public comments translate into a shift in Rockstar’s GTA VI strategy is uncertain. Still, his words highlight an ongoing gap between corporate efficiency and player preference that will likely shape gaming distribution decisions for years to come.