So, I DLed the demo and it's addictive as all get out. Had a chance to buy a hardcopy today for $29.99 US, but the box was ratty and I wasn't entirely sure the CD would have been as new as the box claimed. Plus the manual was a lot less than I'd hoped for. So, I decided what the hell, why not just order a download copy from the developers' website?

Those dipsticks wanted $39.99 for a DL, and +shipping&handling if I wanted a boxed copy. It was the "collector's edition", and it was the only available option on their site. But they neglect to say WHY this DL version of GC2 "collector's edition" is worth $10 more than the one I could have picked up in a box. I mean, I wasn't getting a physical manual, nor a CD with the game, and they certainly would not have to ship anything. I saw in no way shape or form, any explanation why the collector's edition could possibly be worth more than the normal one.

Sent an email to the company stating that "I'd have to have a hole in my head" to spend $40 on a DL copy of a game that seems to be more expensive based only on the box of the physical copy, which a download only version clearly hasn't got.

Am I missing something that should be fundamentally obvious? Is there actually a *good* reason for it. "Supporting the developers" is not a good reason in this case.

There has been a post like this on their forums. If I remember correctly, the game should be priced at 39.99, ideally, but some shops choose to offer it at a discount to clear out their stock, or to promote sales, or for whatever reason.

Like you said. The box was ratty, the CD had the aura of usedness. So they sell it for less.

If you enjoy 4X space empire build/galactic conquest games Gal Civ2 is quite fun. While it could be better, there has been such a lack of games in this genre since the Moo's, Pax's and Gal Imps, that many find it refreshing to have.
I bought the game at Best Buy.

its a good game but I would agree with your PoV. If you have time to look around, get a physical copy. It helps alot.

Oh welcome Relics [img]smile.gif[/img]

Thank you Harkoliar. You may not remember me but I signed up about the same time you did, but I have been away for quite a while. I just didn't know how to reactivate my old account, so I signed up as my Avatar. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Well I got a response from the company a day after my email, and they explained that their pricing was a way of encouraging people to buy retail versions. Works, too, since I managed to score a copy at a Best Buy a few towns south.

I can see this being one of those games that I might have to delete off the HDD because it's so addictive. Maybe after I finish the massive map game I'm on I'll try to forget it's on my comp for a few weeks, lest the righteous hand of she who must be obeyed cometh down on the back of my head.

Sometime next year, possibly January, the expansion Dark Avatar comes out... Gonna rock, that one.