‘I love physical media’ Rockstar co-founder on disc games

We all have those deeply ingrained rituals. For some of us, that ritual started with wrestling with a stack of discs to install World of Warcraft onto our parents’ laptop—a time when physical media wasn’t just a format, but an experience. That tangible process fueled a certain kind of nostalgia for many gamers.

Now, the landscape has dramatically shifted. As game releases increasingly arrive wrapped in digital codes and streamlined onto consoles, the conversation has pivoted toward the fate of the physical disc itself. This isn’t just a matter of shipping formats; it’s a deep dive into what we value about gaming: access, ownership, and community.

The industry response to this transition has been sharp. Figures like Ubisoft’s Yves Guillemot and French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon have weighed in, highlighting the philosophical divide over whether players should have rights concerning the death of physical media. It’s a debate that goes far beyond sales figures; it touches on consumer rights and creative freedom.

When asked about this shift, creators like Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser offered a surprisingly open perspective. He suggested that if players desire physical media, the responsibility should fall to the companies to provide it. However, Houser emphasized a different priority: the ability to update and fix games effectively. He pointed out that both digital and physical patches existed long before digital distribution became the norm, suggesting that downloadable fixes have already proven incredibly useful for game quality.

This sentiment is echoed by other veteran developers. Grand Theft Auto writer Jeffrey Crawford “Lazlow” Jones shared a different perspective, noting the practical convenience of digital access—the ability to grab a quick game for an airport flight on his Steam Deck. Yet, he also acknowledged the undeniable appeal of tangibility: “It’s just really fulfilling to have a physical thing you can say, ‘Look, we made a thing.’”

The tangible experience offers a feeling of created object that digital distribution sometimes lacks. For many, the act of holding a disc connects them more directly to the creative effort behind the game.

As the industry continues to move toward fully digital models—with titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 slated to be both digital-only and console-exclusive at launch—the conversation will likely continue to evolve. Whether physical media survives as a niche collectible or transitions into a specialized experience is up for debate. Ultimately, the tension between tradition and innovation remains a fascinating part of the gaming world.