How come GalCiv2 Direct Download is more expensive than the Retail Box Version?

from GalCiv2 Forums
I've noticed the Direct Download option for GalCiv2 is more expensive than the Retail Box Version.

No offence intended, but from my knowledge, the money earned from direct download goes directly to stardock, while the money earned from retail box sales are channelled to the publisher, and stardock only takes a fraction of their earnings.

So I am quite puzzled here, why is stardock charging a higher price for direct downloads? Won't it be better to price is a bit lower than the retail box version?
13,337 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I deliberately purchased the direct download for $44.95 simply because I figured ALL of it would go to Stardock. Would I have paid more? You bet.


As to the price maybe the Limited Edition price is $44.95 and Stardock had to honor that price for contractual reasons. One can't undercut their vendors as it is bad for business.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The direct download option is the Collectors Edition. To my surprise (i did digital download plus ship box option) you basicly get 2 galciv2 for the price of one that way. Because the box has different serials then the digital download one. Anyway this way all the money goes to Stardock instead of 50~60% to the retailer/distributor, that alone should be enough to go for the digital (plus ship box) option imho.

Doc
/wonders why his metaverse data is not showing in his sig.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I live in Japan so the shipping option is well ... simply not an option.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I live in Japan so the shipping option is well ... simply not an option.



Sure it is an option, I live in The Netherlands, Europe. The beauty of this option is you can download the game and play the game right away and then they send you the boxed version by airmail. For me it took only 7 full days for the boxed version to get here.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Like DrAtomic1, I also live in the Netherlands, ordered the boxed version and downloaded the game the instant after payment.

I was playing the game for a week when the box (including hardcopy manual and tech tree poster!) got delivered.

Because of the euro-dollar conversian rate, I even got it cheaper than if I had waited for retailers in the Netherlands to offer it in stores (probably it would do between €44,95 and €49,95).
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Good for you guys! I have lived here for so long and have had so many issues with getting stuff shipped here for different reasons (licensing, restrictions, tariffs -etc...) I simply don’t even bother entertaining the notion of the idea of shipping anymore.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

It's because no distributor would be willing to carry a title that would be cheaper to get directly from the developer via download. It's a concession that Stardock has to make to get the game into brick and mortar outlets, otherwise the distributor is being undercut and sees it as a kind of direct competition to themselves.

Once direct distribution catches on as a more mainstream/acceptable medium of sales, this will change, but because it's still in it's infancy, there's a segue timeframe where this will always be the case (just like Steam was for HL2). The reality is, brick and mortar shops are the primary sales points for games, and if you can't get your title into them, you're severly limiting your prospective sales.

Jebus
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Glad I went for the dl, and for no extra charge they sent me the CE edition in the mail. Very nice. Of course now I have about 3 different serial #.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ordered mine online for cheapy, but I wish I had a demo or somthing to play while I wait for it to turn up :/
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
@AdmiralZ

You an Amsterdam Admirals fan by any chance?
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm an American serviceman living in the UK. The local BX didn't carry GalCivII on the retail shelf, so I had no choice but to buy it online. Had it been available here, I would've purchased the CE. As it stands, I got the game as soon as I bought it (via d/l), plus I've got a hard copy on the way.

It's win/win for me.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Huh. I was just going to download it, on the 'more-money-direct-to-Stardock' theory...then it occurred to me that maybe it's a GOOD thing for their brick-and-mortar sales to be higher? In the long run, I mean. They ARE a part of the 'gaming software publishing business', and store sales add clout. Also saves me $5....hmmmm....

Ah well, I'll go to the local CC. It's like a coin toss...if they have it, I'll buy it, if not, come home and order it. It's a win/win for me and Stardock, I'd say.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
And my hard copy arrived in the mail today.

YAHTZEE!!!