After playing the demo a while I decided to buy the game. While I was in town looking for IWD: HoW expansion I was also looking for Wizardry 8. Didn't find either. Does anyone know if they are available in stores or internet only?

Available at Electronics Boutique for sure, or from the eb website. Not sure about other US retailers.

The excusivity (did i spell that right?!) rights for Electronic Boutique to carry the game ends today. That means stores will start promoting it more this weekend.

Except that some stores (Babbages for sure) have stated they will NOT carry the game as a way of protesting the initial exclusivity clause. Although I'm glad the game got out however it got out, I can't say I blame them. If exclusive marketing agreements catch on, it will be very bad for gamers in the long run.

I didn't realize that the exclusivity condition was temporary. Interesting.

I am also fearful of these exclusivity agreements. Why would anyone agree to them? It's bad for game sales. The gaming industry is so competetive that I wouldn't think anyone could AFFORD to limit the sales of their product like that.

~~chaosopher~~

i agree. however, in sir-tech's case, it was that or never get wiz8 published. and THAT would have been a terrible loss ~ for us as gamers, and for them as designers, for never being able to see their baby being born. :(

i can almost forgive ebgames for the way they chose to handle it, because they DID a great job of promoting the game and bringing it out into the hands of gamers. i can slag them for so many things, but the way they have treated Wiz8 isn't one of them.

i only wish that ebg had done the "right" thing (in my book of morality, anyway) and foreswore the exclusivity clause. it's not like they are hurting for bucks or anything. and good will is priceless, in the long run.

V***V