Grand Theft Auto V was released in a disc version across three different console generations. GTA VI is bucking that trend with a digital-only launch this fall. The franchise’s former lead writer and Rockstar Games cofounder, Dan Houser, weighed in on the demise of physical games during a recent interview at San Diego Comic Con. He said he doesn’t care personally, but thinks companies should offer something if fans still want it.
“I don’t know that I care, but if people want that, I think companies should provide it,” Houser told IGN over the weekend (via VGC). “But I don’t know that I personally care. And I also think that the ability to update games, as critical as people are of digital releases, the ability to update and fix problems in games has been really useful for the quality of games.”
Houser left Rockstar several years ago to co-found a new media company called Absurd Ventures. His colleague, Lazlow Jones, who also worked on the GTA series, was more nostalgic about physical games. “I mean, we all have that sort of feeling when you get that copy and you put the disc in the console,” Jones said. “But I also have to say I really like being at the airport and going ‘oh cool, I can download some quick games to my Steam Deck for this 12-hour flight.’”
Both writers launched a monthly comic book with Dark Horse last year called American Caper and pointed to the enjoyment of being able to have something physical to hold at the end of the creative process. “I love physical media,” Houser said, referencing the comic book. “I think everyone does.”
Well, not everyone. Sony has been getting raked over the coals for weeks now over its decision to abandon PlayStation discs for new games starting in 2028. The company was lampooned over the weekend for promoting a turntable for vinyl music at the same time its sunsetting physical games. “Rediscover the warmth, detail, and ritual of vinyl with the LX3 Turntable,” one of the company’s social media accounts posted. “Drop the needle, press play, and enjoy music the way it was meant to be heard.”
“Sony makes good money on turntables, but the few cents it costs them to press records for their most popular product is apparently too much,” joked one person.