Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser has voiced support for continuing physical disc production for PlayStation 5 games, even as the industry moves toward digital distribution.
Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con, Houser said companies should provide physical copies for players who prefer them, though he personally does not have a strong preference.
>>> Seattle Police Investigate Mass Shooting at Bite of Seattle Festival That Killed Three
“I don’t know that I care, but if people want that, I think companies should provide it,” Houser stated.
The discussion comes after Rockstar announced Grand Theft Auto VI would be released as a digital-only title, with the box containing only a download code.
Shortly after, Sony confirmed it would stop producing physical PlayStation game discs by January 2028.
Houser acknowledged the benefits of digital releases, particularly the ability to update and fix game issues. However, he emphasized that consumer choice should be preserved.
Lazlow Jones, a former Rockstar employee now working with Houser at Absurd Ventures, also expressed appreciation for owning physical copies while valuing digital convenience.
The shift to digital has sparked significant backlash. A Change.
>>> Global Oil Prices Drop 6% as US and Iran Pause Military Strikes
org petition urging Sony to continue physical disc production has gathered over 345,000 signatures.
In response, a gamer boycott called #PSBlackout is planned from August 23 to 30, during which participants will avoid using PlayStation consoles and making purchases.
However, industry analysts doubt the boycott will have much impact.
Digital sales account for approximately 85% of game purchases, and PlayStation Network’s scalable cloud infrastructure could reduce costs during reduced activity.
Additionally, the boycott does not coincide with major exclusive releases, and only a small fraction of PlayStation Network’s over 120 million users support the petition or boycott.
>>> Ted Danson Reveals Personal Chaos Made Him Unaware of Cheers Ending
Despite the industry trend, Houser’s comments highlight that demand for physical media remains among a portion of gamers.
