well, no game before it has really done a dvd release, so they were probably (maybe unreasonably, but) wary...
DVD-only, you mean. There's been titles put out on dvd before (I didn't buy any, but) I think the Myst games, and one of the Baldur's Gates maybe... something else semi-prominent too that I can't think of.
I'm just happy that I can now get a DVD version; I wasn't going to buy it at all after the pre-order fiasco that left hundreds of people without a copy.

I only wanted the DVD version, fer crying out loud. No swapping for me, thanks, that's annoying enough PLAYING games as it is, I don't need it when installing.
Next I'll be checking pages in my manual using a red filter to find the 23rd word on page 53...
There's a man out there I haven't seen in 15 years who's trying to kill me.
Use your head, don't lose it - Don't feed the trolls!
Boycott Belligerent Boycotters!