- Dan Houser believes that if players want their games released on physical media, then 'companies should provide it.'
- Houser stated, "I don't know that I care, but if people want that, I think companies should provide it."
- He acknowledged that despite criticism of digital releases, the ability to update and fix problems in games has been beneficial for their quality.
- Houser expressed his love for physical media, saying, "I love physical media."
- He also mentioned the convenience of downloading games for travel, stating, "I can download some quick games to my Steam Deck for this 12-hour flight."
- Houser noted that working on digital products and creating a physical product involves different creative processes, stating it is fulfilling to have a tangible product.
Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games, has weighed in on the ongoing debate between physical and digital game releases. He stated, "If people want that, I think companies should provide it," highlighting the importance of catering to player preferences.1
Houser expressed his love for physical media, noting the nostalgic experience of inserting a disc into a console. However, he also acknowledged the advantages of digital formats, particularly the ability to update and improve games post-release. He remarked, "I also think that, 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."34
The convenience of digital downloads was also a point of discussion for Houser, who enjoys the ability to quickly access games while traveling. He said, "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.'"
Ultimately, Houser believes that both formats have their merits and that the industry should adapt to meet the desires of gamers. He concluded, "That's what's been interesting. We've worked in digital together for a lot of years, and then making a physical product is a different creative process but also just really fulfilling to have a physical thing you can say, 'Look. We made a thing.'"6
“Houser also said he loves physical media and the feeling of putting a disc in, but appreciates being able to download games to a Steam Deck on a flight. Separately, the Tactical Tank kit in Splatoon Raiders lets players create kill boxes with drones and Bombloons, turning the game into a Vampire Survivors-style experience.”
