I love digital distribution, who wants to wait for something to turn up in the post? Also I resent giving more money to shops etc when they did nothing to make the product, I'd much rather cut them out and have all (much larger slice) of the money go to the developer.

I hope SOW is released on Steam or even better would be direct.

I love the ROF method, no messing about with codes or DRM etc, just create an account, download the software, purchase a license and start playing.

If your PC ever blows up and you lose data or re-install OS, simply re-download / re-install from backup files, enter your credentials and you are back flying again. Easy.

The number of times I've wanted to dig an old sim or game out, and I can't find the disk....



Steam is great for keeping everything all under one account and keeping it updated, I just not sure about how much of a cut they take per sale. From what I hear, the ROF direct sale method, they take near enough 100%

My only concerns about digital distribution are:

- DRM stuff with permanent or only at start up internet duty.
- Having to download a game with my broadband connection (DSL 786 kbit/s)

Steam for example has an offline mode.

If you leave it overnight most stuff will be down by the time you wake up. Steam usually has a pre-load so it will download before release date and unlock when it's released.

Exactly! And the Russian version will probably ship with less DRM than the rest of the world.
Note in the interview,Oleg did not answer any questions on DRM.

How about you download the game as they wish BUT with it you also get a chance to buy the boxed edition at a reduced price if you have the receipt for downloaded version.

My gaming machine is offline.

It was over 12 months before I purchased IL2_1946 because I waited till it appeared in a shop.

I never bought RoF at all because of the online DRM.

I have FSX installed but never play it because it insists on re-activating and I am not online and phoning is too much bother.

I will purchase SoW if and when it appears in a local store providing it does not have an online DRM.

Online DRM requirement for ROF is no longer required, so worth checking out now if that was your only objection. I'm quite new to it but am loving it.

Then say good bye to all good titles upcoming in future. We won't see any games without DRM any more. No matter if it was a boxed version or a online purchased one.

I don't understand what people have against online DRM? (expect for those unlucky enough to not be able to get online at all).

S!

DRM is the ultimate way to infuriate the legit user of a software. I had 20fps lower FPS in IL-2 after stock 4.10m because of the damned DRM. So set in a "fixed" il2fb.exe and no more problems + the DVD can be safely in the box on the shelf. I do not support software piracy but there is possibly no software encryption out there that has not been cracked or circumvented and how much has this cost to the industry, just to try stop this from happening?

I will buy SoW when it comes in a box but please let me have it so that I do not need to keep the DVD in drive every time I play!