You are seeing the result of help forums - you don't hear about those who had no issues - they don't post. You only see those who have problems looking for help.

I downloaded with no issues at all, as I suspect 95% of those who used the download did. I was very happy - and had my box in two or three days.

Besides, SD is extremely supportive of their customers - not like some other game companies. If the small chance occurs and you you do have issues they can be reached many ways, like email, here and through IRC - you are not left alone holding the empty bag, despite what some occasionally trolling posters may say.

Oh...one more question. How does the boxed copy ship? UPS/Fedex, or standard mail? PO Box and all that.

Mine came through USPS as well. Giant bubble envelope with the box inside.

Which, by the way, I was surprised about.. I would've been perfectly happy paying $45 for the download and just having to redownload it if I rebuilt my system. I was more than happy to spring for the $5 for the CD to get mailed to me.

I was expecting my $5 to get me a paper sleeve with a CD inside and a little poster with the tech treel. Wasn't expecting a full sized Collector's Edition retail box.

Dunno.. Guess I've been screwed so much in the past with companies sending me the bare minimum that I stopped expecting to get something like that.