You can get the new, disc version, with All Fronts for the same price - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GN ... B002GN8HU4

I've been interested in checking this game out, and when I saw that it was going to be available digitally I assumed it would be cheaper than the retail disc. It's a shame that this is not the case, and that XBL is charging $30 for just the basic game while the GOTY with DLC and an actual disc is available for the same price.

yeah, games on demand was a good idea but falls way short due to the ridiculous pricing. yeah, the convenience is nice, but you're sacrificing a lot going the digital distribution route plus you're paying more. why is it that steam games are cheaper than retail but XBL puts a hefty premium on this stuff? i don't get it.

that said, it would be really cool to have one of those new elite systems loaded up with 250 GB of your favorite games DLC. going disc free would be pretty sweet if the price was right. packing for family/friends LAN parties would be a no-brainer too

Overpriced gaming like this is killing the entire concept of downloadable gaming.

it must have something to do with not wanting to step on the toes of retailers. thats the only reason i can think of. perhaps they've done research and found that games get bought a lot on the spur of the moment in stores and they dont want to change that. perhaps valve did the same thing but concluded that PC gamers dont act this way.

could be but they're completely pushing people like me out of their market. if they had some good sales on this stuff, and put newer games out there faster, i'd probably bite when it comes to games with high replayability. as it is, i hardly pay attention to what's out there because i know it will be $10+ over retail.

--- Replying to smurphster -----

it really only is when there is a sale. I just purchased X3 Terran Conflict on amazon for about $7 shipped--new--, when on steam its $19.99. The CD key is linkable to your steam account as well, so it will be the exact same thing, just gotta wait for it to arrive in the mail instead. I do agree tho, when steam has a nice sale, its usually a "can't pass up" opportunity. L4D2 + all DLC for $6.67, Serious Sam HD double pack for $7.50, Killing Floor $5, 5-pack racing games including Dirt, Dirt 2, Fuel, Grid, Toca Race driver 3 for $17.50, Torchlight was 50% off, Borderlands DLC $2 or $3 + game $20, Team Fortress 2 $13, etc etc were just a few of the great deals I've snagged on steam.

Yeah, sales like that on Xbox Live are pretty much non-existant... Otherwise I would buy some of my favorite games from them. Although my 120 GB drive is almost full...

Good write up!

I don't care for Games On Demand in general. To me it feels like I don't really own the game unless I have the physical media.

I loved the tone of this write-up. It fluently expressed my feelings about Games On Demand.

The marketing and philosophy of Xbox Live is the same as Chicago casino owner Cassius McDonald: "There's a sucker born every minute."

They know that smart shoppers will hit Gamestop for a $17 copy of Gears 2. They also know that there's a purist crowd who would rather download for some personal reason, whether it's they don't want to be bothered with leaving their home to get it, or they're on the environmental side and don't want to condone more plastic CDs to a future landfill. Whatever the reason, download media has a very low material capital cost and high profit margin. So why not gouge for a while, then drop the price down $10 in 6 months.

If you're pincing pennies, definitely avoid the digital download and go buy a hard disk. Gamestop is selling used for $17.99, same as Gamefly "Keep" price as well. All Fronts is 400 MS this week, but I'd be surprised if it goes back to 1600 MS for long.

--- Replying to WildCard Zen -----

Most, if not all, Games On Demand on Xbox LIVE are in the $30 range no matter the age. Microsoft does not decrease prices of any of its downloadable content. At least not in any realistic way.

there is a couple on there at $20 if I remember right. Ahh $20...the OLD platinum game price.