Digital distribution is the way to go.
I saw the light a while back. Sure, it costs more but the benefits to me outweigh the cost.
I purchase from STEAM as I like the ability to download whenever I like, no bother with disc checks, automated updates etc and and no bother with "hunting the No-CD exe" when an update is released.
Download when you like if you have an uber connection which most people dont.
No bother doing disc checks so long as you have an internet connection so that Steam can work.
Automated updates a few weeks after normal retail copies.
Bargain for twice the price!
You dont need an "Uber" connection. I ran STEAM on a 10Mb connection with no problems.
STEAM Offline mode works fine for me but my PC is allways online anyway as are most peoples in the 21st century unless your on Dial up?
Updates for most games are pretty much simultaneous with retail bar a few publishers who suck anyway. Any reputable publisher releases at the same time, maybe a day later. Hardly a "few weeks".
Twice the price? I dont think so.
You dont need an "Uber" connection. I ran STEAM on a 10Mb connection with no problems.