Mistralok said --"So what are you trying to say here, Jarl? You're pissed because the disk will be coming to you in an envelope rather than a cardboard box? You are a freaking idiot."--
There are certainly too many other pertinent issues going on in our world today to get pissed about a computer game, so to answer your most intelligent and well thought-out accusation, no, I'm not an idiot, less of course you're twelve, in which case, most juveniles do consider adults as being idiots--till they themselves mature of course. Please reread my original post where I alluded to the question of cost-savings, and not so much the fact I get a CD in an envelope. I don't mind getting it inside an envelope. I just thought due to the lack-luster if you will in the packaging of the product, we might see a reduction reflected in the product's price.
I mean if OPEC found a cheaper way of refining crude, wouldn't you expect to see the savings reflected in the price per gallon at the pump?
It's the overall principal folks that I'm just trying to bring to light is all, concerning this move to digital format only, not that I'm all tore up over having to get a CD shipped to me without a box. Dear Lord.
Yarlen said --"Stardock is actually absorbing the cost of the physical media for those people who've ordered it direct on CD."--
Forgive my ignorance in this case then, but I was led by the original poster, McGu, to believe there's a $5 shipping fee, which seems a bit high for just a CD in an envelope? And then there is of course the fact I've already paid $30 for the game itself. So, I would have to agree to disagree with you here. Without retail distribution, shelf space, and packaging involved you aren't absorbing much of a loss if any by going digital download, or by simply shipping out a CD inside an envelope, especially if I'm paying for the shipping, however over-extended the shipping fee maybe if indeed it is $5. Again, I don't mind this just that I'm trying to defend my point, though some will disagree obviously.
DethAdder said--"The fact that Stardock is offering a rebate to those already with DL for buying the gold package is far above and beyond what most companies would do."--
I'm sorry, but most companies wouldn't have you jumping through this hoop to get retail. Not that I'm complaining, but rather trying to demonstrate my point of view. And as far as I know, software developers and publishers have been propping up their expansion packs right on the shelf alongside their core games for years now, without so much difficulty that would otherwise cause them not to. So now of sudden there seems to be an issue in getting shelf space. That's because it cost money. Thus, is why I'm saying that if developers are hoping to eventually go strictly digital download in order to avoid paying additonal costs for shelf space, I've no problem with that so long as the game's price tag reflects at least some of the savings. I mean why should I continue to pay the same price I've always paid for software due to companies being unable to profit as much because of expensive shelving space and packaging, for a product supposedly now free of these costly conditions?
Again, I love GalCiv2 DL, and am truly looking forward to Dark Avatar, however I might come by it (legally of course). Stardock is awesome in their endeavor to consistently and attentively satisfy its fan base, and for that I take my hat off. I didn't want this to become a debate, as I merely sought to make a suggestion. So please drop the stones, as I'm not seeking to irritate anyone, but rather share my perspective on what is becoming a changing (digital only) market place; one of which I'm struggling perhaps more than I should like to appreciate. Although, am willing to adapt and accept so long as developers such as Stardock continue creating such highly addictive, and revolutionary games. Thanks.

I was unable to get the quote function to work as intended, sorry.
Oh and one other thing, yes, I'll be purchasing my CD from Stardock here very soon.