I'm holding out because I want more information. I don't like Steam, I don't trust it, and Stardock has been using it exclusively recently. As such, I want to hold off until I have more information as to what the game will use and what options I have. I may end up buying with the intent to hack things so I could play the game without using Steam (and download by using an old PC so I don't need to install Steam on my primary rig).

I do have my own distrust with Steam. I'm willing to use it, and I have it on my computer, however I don't know if they will still be around in 10 years. I won't buy something at full retail on Steam, however I'm willing to use them as a  distribution source. Honestly, I wouldn't have payed $100 directly to steam, but I'm willing to pay it since it was through the Stardock store, and if something happens to Steam they'll take care of me (I believe)..... Though, I will say, I still would rather have a disk mailed to me like I did with Galciv 2, then I could put the game safely in my closet and if something happened to the company I know there would be third party websites hosted patches and updates, just like my old Microprose games...

Though, if something ever happened to StarDock, I would hope Frogboy in his dying breath, would do something to release the patches into the wild, so we could always re-update from the base game that we backup (you do backup right?)

Steam's owned by one of the most profitable gaming companies out there, and nothing short of an utter catastrophe could cause them to fail. Like maybe if Gabe Newell died there might be a slight hiccup, but as I understand it, their management is so decentralized I'm sure they could recover. Steam has such an enormous market share, at this point it's impossible for any other digital vendor to overtake them. It's why Stardock abandoned Impulse, why Origin needs to give away their AAA games to get people even considering their service. Literally their only 'competitor' is GOG and they can coexist peacefully because GOG serves a niche.

To be completely frank -- if Galciv 3 wasn't going to be on Steam, I wouldn't have preordered. Steam makes everything so simple to manage, and all of my friends use it. Is it perfect? No, it isn't -- but it's made PC gaming a far more enjoyable experience for me. I literally cannot remember the last time I bought a physical copy of a PC game. It might've even been Galciv 2 back in 2006. I haven't even had a CD drive in my computer since 2008. 

GalCiv II is one of my favourite games ever. And basically, the team that made I and II is doing the III.

Right now the only thing to think about for me is: do I go to Win7 64 or to Win8 64? I'm quite happy with my Win7 32 but I suppose that GalCiv III is as good as any other reason to "upgrade".

Yep, I did the $99 as well.  Only because it is Stardock and my experience has been that they make good stuff.  Even when they screwed up they took steps to make it right for the customer.  I would not have done this for any other game company.

So true.  I wouldn't have given $99.00 to any other company for a preorder.  Stardock has earned a lot of trust and I'm sure it hasn't been an easy road.  Sure, there have been hiccups along the way.  But in the end, it stands alone for loyalty to its customers.

I would not have preordered this game if it wasn't on Steam.

Hell, all these people who "don't trust Steam" seem to be forgetting they had no issue using Impulse.

I agree as, I have nothing but the best customer service with stardock, I have had to combine accounts and change emails and login's due to moving with work and unable to continue the ones i had and they were amazing....I bought the 99.00 package as well.....

I never use impulse anymore

I totally agree with the sentiments of the original poster. I wouldn't be pre-ordering a game and all future expansions (whatever they may be) from any other company, but Stardock has certainly earned that trust. I'm happy to express my loyalty to Stardock based on their commitment to delivering a stellar gaming experience to their customers.

I am currently unsure if I will buy a founders pack. On one hand. I have objections to buying any game before it's released. On the other, boy that is a nice shiny badge.

I personally had no issue with Steam so far. I purchased many-many games on Steam and Impulse a.k.a. GameStop with no trouble what so ever. But I did purchase the game the next day I got the newsletter from StarDock because They really make quality game and I have trust in them that they will do the very same thing with Galactic Civilizations III.

BTW, I am pretty sure that they will sell their future game not only on Steam but on GameStop (Impulse before) and at even more online retailers as well. So people, just buy it from those who you trust the most (when it will be available), if not directly from StarDock. Just please make sure that YOU WILL BUY IT!!!

Steam is fine. Problems start if the game uses another DRM with the Steam, like Flashback does.

Ahhhh .... the old Steam argument...

Do you really believe Brad would leave his Gamer Base out in the Cold just because Steam Collapsed? That's just insane ....

On Day 2 of a Steam Collapse I guarantee Brad will be either Posting, or rapidly working on a Stardock facility to get us all back on line.

Some people just make a life's work of moaning, its astonishing....