How Stardock Has Spoiled Me
I've been gaming for over 15 years now, having started on the Atari and moved on to the NES, Sega Genesis, and the newer crop of consoles. I've also been gaming on PCs for just over 10. I'm accustomed to the release day ritual of making the trek to the local WalMart or EB to pick up a pre-ordered copy of whatever the newest hottest game is, coming home and loading it up and playing for the rest of the day. This started in a time where I practically had to beg mom to drive me out to the mall once every 2-3 months (meaning I missed out on a LOT of good games because I could only buy one every 2-3 months, and I had to think hard between console or PC), now I can make the run out to the mall whenever I feel the inclination. The joys of being an adult are many when it comes to gaming.
However, now that I have a car, a credit card, and the freedom to do with each as I so choose, I'm starting to see some problems in the PC game distribution system as it stands right now. Currently there are three (legal) methods for getting my gaming fix: Going to the store in person, ordering online for home delivery and direct download. Each method has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, what follows is simply my take on each and what my personal opinions and experiences are with them.
Method 1 - Buying In-Store
This is the time-honored method for buying anything at all, so it's no surprise that it is still the main way to distribute and purchase computer games. There's a lot tied up in going to your local EB or GameStop to pick up the latest copy of Demon Killer Cheerleaders - Rah Rah Sis Boom Death. There's the support of local industry, there's the community feeling you sometimes get from having the rare chance to interact with fellow gamers, and you can peruse the shelves and perhaps spot some great discounted deal.
Pros:
-Supporting local stores is a great thing to help the local economy
-Meet and greet with fellow gamers, this is probably the only chance most people get to really interact with fellow gamers
-You come away with a physical box in your hands, and there's nothing like the "New Game Box Smell" (very similar to the new-car smell) *sniiiiffff* ahhhh
-Those used game racks are goldmines for finding great titles at ridiculously low prices
-You have a manual to read on the drive home (I hope I'm not the only one who has to have the box open before getting home)
-As soon as you make the purchase, you have the game in your hands, there's no delay or wait
Cons:
-If you're a PC gamer, the area of the store devoted to your chosen entertainment is constantly shrinking. Where the local EB here used to have a HUGE section of wall devoted to PC titles, they're now relegated to a small corner. The same goes for WalMart etc. BestBuy is the only store in my area that still has a good sized PC game section. Too bad they're not the best at getting new titles in
-It's pretty much guaranteed that you're paying the highest possible price for a game if you're buying new. Retail stores rarely have discounts on just-released products, in fact they often don't discount older games until they're MUCH older.
-Unless you call ahead to the store before driving out, there's a fair chance the game(s) you're looking for isn't in stock, making for a wasted trip.
-Often, time just isn't on your side and making that run to the store is too hard to make.
As life becomes busier and busier and I have to start watching my pocketbook more closely, the cons of buying in-store are quickly outweighing the pros. There are still times however where it's just supremely satisfying to go into a game store and buy a game (which I'm going to try and do this evening). I'm just tired of going out, looking for a specific game only to find it isn't in stock, or that they have no intention of carrying it because they don't want to give any additional shelf space to PC games.
Method 2 - Online Ordering
Every retailer now has an online ordering option, and there are a bunch of retailers that only sell online. There's no in-person experience to be had here, which can be good or bad depending on how you're wired. However, in this method, you're guaranteed to get what you're looking for, it's rare to get an "out of stock" notice. This is the quick-and-easy solution to buying games.
Pros:
-You can buy games whenever you feel the inclination... from work, school or home, just pop up the page and whip out the credit card.
-Often online retailers will offer special deals and discounts you can't get in stores in- town
-It's rare to get an out-of-stock notice, and if you do, you can just hop to another online shop. No more driving arou from store to store wasting valuble time and gas
-You still get that new box smell and have a manual to flip through and pretty CD art to look at.
-You get to know your UPS and FedEx delivery person, I've found out that mine are really cool people with great stories to tell.
Cons:
-S&H can suck unless you want Business Ground shipping which can take over a week to get to you
-You don't get the game upon purchase, there's an ADDITIONAL wait, and if you're a true gamer, you're impatient as hell to get that new game
-Less likely to stumble across a really neat game that you normally wouldn't have even thought of
-No used game rack! 
-You don't get to interact with local gamers
This is definitely the most convenient method for purchasing games you don't have a burning desire to play right away. I probably buy about half of my games in this fashion, but it only really works when I'm looking for a specific game, it's harder to get a quick sense for what all is available and what might be interesting to pick up. Also, with no good used games rack, I am less likely to impulse buy (which can be a good or a bad thing)
Method 3 - Online Distribution
This is what Stardock uses for all of their products. I have purchased both the ObjectDestkop suite and the Drengin set of games through Stardock Central and I couldn't be happier with the experience. This combines the convenience of online ordering with the instant pay-off of buying a game in person. Since I started buying software off of SDC, I've found myself wondering why I can't buy more games like this. The system is simple, elegant and intuitive, plus it gives me the satisfaction of knowing that all of my money is going to the developer, and not to the pockets of the store, distributor and publisher.
Pros:
-Quick and easy. Click to buy like you do in an online store and just watch the download start. No waiting in cashier lines, no traffic, no waiting around for the delivery guy to show up. You bought it, it's yours.
-No more lost CD problem. I've lost one CD of a multi-CD set countless times, rendering my investment worthless unless I can find a friend with a copy.
-The money goes to the developer, no middlemen involved. I'm a huge believer in rewarding good developers as much as possible (i.e. I always buy Bioware games, regardless)
-Access the game from anywhere. You don't need to cart around your CDs with you everywhere you go. I have all my SDC software on my work and home PC so I can play GalCiv from either location. Also had it installed on my parent's PC while I was visiting over the holidays.
Cons:
-No manual, no cd art, no new-box smell
-No interacting with local gamers
-If you don't have broadband, this is NOT a viable method
-Still limited to distributing smaller games
I think this is going to be the next big wave in game distribution.. With Valve intending to distribute HL2 over Steam (in addition to traditional venues) I think we'll see this start to be noticed by the big devel and publishing houses.
-Mike