Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser has shared his thoughts on the future of physical media, saying publishers should continue offering boxed games as long as players still want them. At the same time, he acknowledged that the gaming industry has strong commercial reasons to focus on digital releases.
Houser explained that he is not personally attached to physical discs. He believes post-launch patches have become an essential part of modern game development, making digital distribution more practical than ever. He also noted that many players now prefer the convenience of downloading games instead of visiting a store.
Lazlow Jones highlights the nostalgic side
Former Rockstar producer Lazlow Jones offered a different perspective. While he appreciates the convenience of digital downloads, especially when travelling, he still enjoys the traditional experience of inserting a game disc into a console.
His comments highlight the growing divide within the gaming community. Some players value the convenience of digital ownership, while others still see physical copies as an important part of collecting and game preservation.
GTA 6 launches without a true physical edition
The discussion has become even more relevant following Rockstar’s launch plans for Grand Theft Auto 6.
Pre-orders opened on July 25 with two standalone editions, but neither includes a traditional physical disc. The $99.99 Ultimate Edition is available only as a digital purchase, while the Standard Edition’s boxed version contains a download code instead of a game disc.
Rockstar has not confirmed whether GTA 6 will receive a genuine physical disc release after launch. If that never happens, GTA 6 could become the first mainline entry in the series to skip a physical console release entirely.
Sony continues its move toward an all-digital future
The debate also comes as Sony prepares one of the biggest changes in PlayStation history.
The company previously confirmed it will stop manufacturing physical copies of new PlayStation games from January 2028. Existing PS4 and PS5 games that already have disc versions will continue to receive production support, but future releases will move to digital distribution.
Sony plans to use the manufacturing capacity for optical microlens production instead of physical game discs.
Players remain divided
The shift away from physical media continues to divide gamers. Digital releases offer instant downloads, automatic updates, and easy access across multiple devices. Physical editions, however, still provide collectors with tangible ownership and often allow players to buy, sell, lend, or preserve their games.
With GTA 6 potentially leading the way toward a digital-only future, the conversation around game ownership is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Many players continue to argue that physical media should remain an option, even if digital sales now dominate the market.
