Downloading ... plus the availability of products on line has to have hurt retail stores. For example, bought a pair of fancy "sneakers" on line for 129.00 that were selling at a famous sports store for 249.00. Quite a savings!Stores won't know about it, fact is that store PC game sales is way down. Reason being that it's much easier to just download. That's the advantage that the PC still has, though is losing.
Of course, that doesn't count the sales tax. Was talking to my state senator a short time ago and he was predicting that sales tax on the net was the next logical step as they have determined (how, I don't know, but I am sure he is right) that Nebraska loses several million dollars per year in lost sales tax.
BTW, I also would prefer a disc rather than a download for the new game. Hope that becomes a viable option. B)