Rockstar Games’ Co-founder Encourages Publishers To Meet Demand For Physical Games, Countering GTA VI Plans

It is officially marketing season for Grand Theft Auto VI. Pre-orders for the most-anticipated game for this year is now live and the game is inching closer to its release date this November. According to one report, Newzoo disclosed that Grand Theft Auto VI is tracking to be the “strongest opening” ever witnessed for pre-purchases of a new release.

However, this will be the first major entry from Rockstar Games without Dan Houser. Houser alongside brother Sam co-founded the developer, but exited back in 2020. The announcement came as a surprise knowing the empire Houser would be leaving behind. By 2023, Houser officially opened Absurd Ventures – a new transmedia firm that platforms smaller creative minds across all forms of entertainment.

Recently, Houser spoke out amid the ongoing controversy of physical media in gaming. Speaking to IGN at San Diego Comic Con, Houser expressed that publishers should meet the demand of its consumers if they are willing to put out for a tangible version of the respected media. “I don’t know that I care, but if people want that, I think companies should provide it,” Houser said.

He did go on that although “I don’t know that I personally care,” he does believe there is an obligation for the publisher or parent company to take responsibility in meeting expectations for its consumers. Of course, that includes physical releases. Most ironically is that Grand Theft Auto VI is one example of such with the game being a digital-only release. Even ‘physical’ copies are shipping with only a digital code inside.

The conversation is even greater across PlayStation users. It was reported recently that Sony did enact extremely strict guidelines for its employees anticipating the backlash & instructing to not speak on the matter to the public. Despite what Sony understands the turn for market response with digital being the majority seller of games, it was revealed ahead of the new decision that over 70 percent of new PlayStation 5 owners purchased the physical edition. You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you behind Houser’s comments for physical games?

Source: IGN