Is there any considerable difference between the downloadable copies that you can buy vs the CD/box copies that you can buy? For example, will the downloads have stuff missing that would be on the cd that might be useful for modding?

The direct2drive downloadable version is the same as the CD version.
It's even the same size as the CD version and contains all the assets, xml, and c code modable stuff that comes with the other versions.

i download meny meny gams and stuff........

but civ......never!

its a game i am happy to spend money on..!!!!!!

civ rockssssssssssssssssssssssss

He's not talking about pirating the game. That kind of discussion would not be tolerated here. ;)

There are a couple of online game shops that allow you to download the game charge appropriatly for it. Direct2Drive is one of them. TryGames might be another one, I don't know if they do Civ4 or not. I know they did Civ3, so I would guess they'd do 4 as well. That's what he's referring to.

D2D doesn't require a CD (since there isn't one). Don't know if Steam makes you log on to play.

Don't know if Steam makes you log on to play.

I've got a few Steam games. You basically have to log on once after the game is installed to activate it (after that you still have to start the game via the Steam client, but that can run in "offline" mode).