Unfortunately, this practice will never end because gamers (i.e., consumers) are totally lacking in patience. I just bought Mass Effect 2 for $10 (on sale at the Origin store); patience put $50 in my pocket. I'll probably be able to get Mass Effect 3 for the same price in a year or so. Despite all their ire, gamers continue to buy games on launch day, or worse pre-order. Game companies are part of an income-dependent industry and will only change if they foresee a benefit to their bottom line. On-line petitions and rants on Web sites are meaningless.