Where/how to buy Skyrim

[ckugler]

I don't much care about game boxes anymore (they just take up space on my shelf now), and I'm not planning to get the CE. Is there any reason to buy the game via a brick and mortar store (or Amazon) rather than getting it through Steam? For example, I bought the boxed version of Civilization V, but it immediately made me tie the game to my Steam account--that made the box and physical disc rather useless.

For example, will the Steam version still support all of the mods and customization? I'm not sure how the Steam versions of Morrowind and Oblivion do this (I own the regular versions of both of these games).

Also, on a completely unrelated note, I rather like the "Sons of Skyrim" theme song that plays in the various trailers. I see a dozen or more variations on it, all claiming to be "real" or "official," on Youtube. Is the actual, real song, as composed by Jeremy Soule, legally available anywhere for download?

[JVElEven]

Well, if you buy it in physical form, I think you get some added things with the casette.

The only way to get the official map, for example, is to make a pre-order, if I remember correctly.

But really, the disc gives you the security of still having the game, should your Steam account terminate, get hacked etc. That's why I want to get it in physical.

[ckugler]

No one knows if this will be Steam-exclusive, like Civilization V? And no one knows about the "Sons of Skyrim" song?

[martez87]

It is Steam exclusive, the same as Civ5. Since it is tied to your account, the disk will be useless besides getting a faster install.

[JVElEven]

I didn't know Steam did that when I bought Civ 5. But I'm a collector, and I feel safer if I have it in physical, rather than just a binch of digits.

Of course, it depends on how much of a collector you are.

[ckugler]

It is Steam exclusive, the same as Civ5. Since it is tied to your account, the disk will be useless besides getting a faster install.

While I like maps, I'm just not as into video game "feelies" as I used to be (nothing tops the feelies in the Ultima boxes). Looks like I'll preorder directly on Steam. Thanks for the quick reply.

And I'll ask one last time, anyone know about "Sons of Skyrim"? I see a million places to download hacked-together illegal versions of the song, but I'd like something real, even if it means paying.

[JVElEven]

If there is, it's on Bethesda's page. I haven't bothered looking though, so you'll need to check for yourself. Probably. I doubt they have one, though. And in 29 days we can hear it whenever we want anyways.