I think this thread answers my question...

https://forums.galciv2.com/?forumid=357&aid=141572

So, is it safe to say it is just the CD in an envelope?

Yes, it's just the Dark Avatar CD in a windowed envelope. A PDF manual is included on the disc.

This isn’t intended as a slam against Stardock. They’ve been the most loyal developer to its customers I’ve ever witnessed in my many years of PC gaming, but is just my two-cents worth, which may or may not be off base.

So, I’m to understand that they save profit margin by avoiding publishing costs, distribution and packaging of DA for retailers (I'm aware of the Gold addition, which is inconvenient as I'm made to purchase a second time, Dread Lords, then mail in a rebate to get back the extra $10 dollars for having to do so and wait 4-6 weeks most likely to get that unnecessary expenditure returned to me, and is available only up to April 07), yet fail to pass any of these non-tangible savings along to the customer in the digital downloadable format? Expansion still at usual $30 cost.

I'm all for the PC gaming industry transitioning to digital download, and or my paying shipping for the CD, even if it's just a plain disc in a plain envelope, so long as I'm reaping some of the non-tangible cost cuts. In other words, non-tangible should equal less money we pay for the game since packaging is obsolete, which is where a lot of cost for publishers is involved if I’m to understand. As for the gold edition, all I can say is why would I if I already own a copy of Dread Lords? For the manual? Too many hoops. I'd rather see the expansion come in its own box, be on its own shelf space, and tangibly in my hands once I fork over my $30+. Not just some non-tangible code of which, I save nothing for the lack of packaging costs.

Still love the game, and I'm still a loyal Stardockian, but I just wanted to voice my opinion in the matter, although I know it's not widely received. Call me getting old I guess. I just like having something that is professional-grade-tangible for my money. I am, nonetheless, looking forward to many long nights of Dark Avatar.

Thanks

Well put Jarl and my attitude is the same as yours about this. Regardless, bitching about it won't do any of us any good so if it means a little more on my part to play one of the best games ever, you know damn well I will still be in line.

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.

I'd rather see the expansion come in its own box, be on its own shelf space, and tangibly in my hands once I fork over my $30+. Not just some non-tangible code of which, I save nothing for the lack of packaging costs.

Unfortunately retail shelf space is very limited. If we were able to get a Dark Avatar only expansion into retail (which would be extremely difficult), most stores would drop GalCiv II for it - leaving no way for people to buy the original game. Dark Avatar is a $30 product by itself as a digital download. Stardock is actually absorbing the cost of the physical media for those people who've ordered it direct on CD.

I think it's a pretty fair deal. If you preordered, you got to play the game almost three months ahead of time and was able to help shape the game through development. 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 do hope that they offer a printed manual to buy at a later date like Brad alluded to, and again that would be more than most would do for their customers. Nowadays you'll often end up with a simple install guide and a .pdf manual when buying pc games from a store anyway. Stardock's been both fair and informative when making these decisions. I don't really have any complaints. Companies that put the customer first are a dying breed and Stardock's policies are as much a part of why I support them as their great games.

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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.