Rockstar Games co-founder says firms should still sell discs
Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser says he is personally indifferent to the physical-versus-digital debate, but if players want games on disc, companies should provide them. Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con while promoting Absurd Ventures, he framed consumer demand—not industry preference—as the deciding factor for physical releases.
Key Takeaways
- Dan Houser said companies should offer discs if consumers want them, even though he does not personally care about the format fight.
- He argued digital patching has been “really useful” for modern game quality.
- Former Rockstar colleague Lazlow Jones cited both disc nostalgia and Steam Deck download convenience.
- The remarks land as Sony plans to end PlayStation optical media production in January 2028.
The comments come from an IGN interview covered by TweakTown, where Houser and Absurd Ventures executive producer Lazlow Jones discussed how games should be sold. For more business and industry money coverage, see our Net Worth & Wealth hub.
What did Dan Houser say about Rockstar Games and discs?
Houser, a Rockstar Games co-founder and now CEO of Absurd Ventures, was asked about physical versus digital delivery while promoting projects including the American Caper comic series.
“I don’t know that I care,” he said. “But, if people want that, companies should provide it. But I don’t know that I personally care.”
He later added that he loves physical media in the context of producing the American Caper comic book—drawing a line between personal taste and what publishers owe customers.
Why does Houser’s stance matter amid Sony’s disc exit?
According to PlayFront, Houser made the case for keeping physical options even as Sony prepares to discontinue disc production for PlayStation consoles from January 2028. Buyer pushback around that shift has kept the format debate loud for weeks.
Houser’s point is blunt: market demand should decide whether discs stay available. He separates what he personally prefers from what companies should ship if players still ask for plastic.
Does he think digital is better for game quality?
Yes—on the technical side. Houser said that despite criticism of digital releases, “the ability to update and fix problems in games has been really useful for the quality of games.”
Jones echoed the mixed reality of modern play. He remembered the feeling of putting a disc in a console, but also praised downloading games to a Steam Deck at an airport for a 12-hour flight. Houser’s bottom line stays simple: Rockstar Games’ co-founder will not referee the culture war, but he says publishers should meet demand for discs when it exists.