Not really desperation, it's just it is a lot easier to sell a new title that you might not have heard of if you sell more in a package. Sale items are usually displayed more prominently, people will spend more time browsing in sale sections if they are unsure of exactly what they want, and overall will lead to stronger opening sales. And, like was already said, it's a good way to distribute excess copies of Deluxe that were already pressed, since sales of Deluxe are not expected to be strong... six year old game, already costs only $10, sequel about to hit shelves.
Anyway, thanks for the link, I've been waiting for a pre-order to start
There's only one problem... this means that SEV and DomIII will be arriving to me at about the same time, and that time just so happens to be when I will be starting final projects to complete my Master's degree. How can I be expected to have any self control? I must hold Malfador, Illwinter, Shrapnel, Strategy First, and Gamestop responsible for me flunking out this semester!
--edit: Actually, I looked into it a bit more. Seems like a scam to me. You don't really get SEIV Deluxe, you get a $10 voucher for GameStop purchases (and Deluxe happens to be $9.99). And all you need to do is enroll in a $10/month discount card program. And you don't get it for just signing up, no, you need to be a verified member two days later, then they let you get Deluxe or $10 off some other game. But you still pay S&H.
No thanks. At least I still get to preorder SEV, make sure I have a copy reserved.