I'd never buy something that made me download shit if there was an edition that didn't. Eventually, when Microsoft no longer supports the 360 or XBL, you'll still be able to use a vintage PS3 to play this game and that extra content because you've got a hard copy, but your 360? Provided by some miracle the thing still works, you'll still be out of luck on the DLC.
Exactly.
I mean, look at the issue w/ Halo 2 MP issues - you WILL need the DLC maps to play the game's MP online, first off. Second off, XBL for original XB is closing, so you'll have to somehow get all your DLC maps on your 360. If Bungie don't re-sell the maps on XBL 360 or patch them into Halo 2, you're SOL.
This is why I think it's crucial if you're buying DLC online or given a code in a box to get DLC, you should have the option to be able to back it up. Once the servers are gone, well....hope you have it on disc already or backed-up something - or you lose it.
I really don't like that DAO PC didn't have an option to DL the DLC files separately (as a ZIP or some sort of compressed file), but at least I can back-up my entire DAO PC folder in My Documents, which is where the DLC files and content are located at.