Gudadantza: What I really miss of the phyisical releases and I considered the real point were the physical manuals. Not the boxes or the CD themselves. I understand that not every game needs a proper decent and big book/manual but depending the case it was a convenient goodie that will stand the test of time more that the dvd or the box or the CD. It was much more confortable to read a book than a PDF in a screen.
In fact in some sites like Matrix games for years they have offered two different versions of the game, one "cheaper" consistig in the code and digital installer and one consisting in a boxed copy with a color physical manual. More expensive.
But obviously they sell relatively complex wargames and simulators and the public probably give it more importance.
About the use of the GOG installer vs the original CD, well I use to install the GOG installer for convenience, it makes the game compatible and kills the possible DRM.
But there are cases were I do not own the GOG copy because my CD runs well and luckily the game is free of DRM. Honestly the latter are the lesser cases.
Oh, and those manuals also used this kind of smooth paper with that specific kind of smell, you know what I mean. Not "treeish" like a book, but rather it had more a more clinical, industrial feel to it, both in touch and smell. Isn't it terrible the new generation won't remember this?