Rockstar cofounder Dan Houser says game discs should remain

Former Rockstar Games cofounder Dan Houser has weighed in on the intensifying debate over the future of physical media in gaming, stating that companies should continue to produce game discs as long as consumers want them, despite his own personal ambivalence. Houser made the comments during an interview at San Diego Comic-Con in late July 2026, alongside his former colleague Lazlow Jones.

The discussion comes amid a period of significant upheaval for physical media. In recent weeks, Sony announced it will cease manufacturing physical PlayStation game discs starting in January 2028. This was preceded by Rockstar Games confirming that the highly anticipated "Grand Theft Auto VI" will not include a playable disc in its standard physical edition at launch, instead packaging a digital download code inside the box. These announcements have sparked sustained backlash from a segment of gamers concerned about ownership, preservation, and consumer choice.

When asked about the issue, Houser offered a nuanced perspective. "I don't know that I care, but if people want that, I think companies should provide it," he said. "But I don't know that I personally care." He acknowledged the...