'If People Want That, I Think Companies Should Provide It' — Rockstar Co-Founder Shares His Thoughts on the Conversation Around Physical Game Releases - IGN

What the report says

IGN reported that Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser weighed in on the debate over physical game releases during an interview at San Diego Comic-Con 2026. Houser, who previously worked on Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption and now leads Absurd Ventures, said he does not feel strongly about whether he personally buys games physically or digitally. However, he said that if players still want physical versions, game companies should make them available.

Houser also acknowledged a key benefit of digital distribution, saying the ability to patch and improve games after release has helped game quality. At the same discussion, former Rockstar colleague Lazlow Jones described the appeal of both formats: the satisfaction of owning a disc or other tangible product, and the convenience of downloading games while traveling, such as on a Steam Deck.

The comments come amid renewed industry debate over the future of physical media. According to IGN, PlayStation has said it will stop producing new physical games in January 2028, and Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to launch in November without shipping on a disc. Those developments have intensified concern among some players about ownership, preservation, access, and consumer choice.

IGN noted that Houser is not the only major game figure to discuss the issue recently, citing comments from creators and executives including Yoko Taro, Hideo Kojima and Ubisoft’s Yves Guillemot. Houser’s remarks matter because of his long association with some of gaming’s biggest franchises, even though he is no longer at Rockstar.