With "Grand Theft Auto VI" confirmed not to ship with a physical disc, coupled with Sony's announcement to cease game disc production after January 2028, the debate between physical and digital game formats has intensified. Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser and veteran writer Lazlow Jones were recently asked about their personal preference during an interview with IGN at SDCC.
Houser stated that he wasn't sure if he truly cared, but believed that if players had a demand for physical games, companies should provide them. He also noted that while digital distribution often faced criticism, the ability to fix game issues through updates was very beneficial for improving game quality.
Lazlow, on the other hand, mentioned that they both enjoyed the feeling of getting a physical game and putting the disc into the console. However, he also admitted to appreciating the convenience of being at an airport and realizing he could download a few games onto his Steam Deck for a 12-hour flight.
Discussing his current experience producing physical comics, Lazlow added that while they had worked on digital content for many years, creating comics as physical products was a completely different creative process. He also found it very rewarding to physically hold a finished product and say he had made it.
Houser also expressed his love for physical media. Both Houser and Jones' perspectives did not negate the convenience of digital formats but rather suggested that if players still valued collecting and ownership, the industry should not completely eliminate physical options.