Launched in 2003, CCP-developed EVE Online has always been available as a direct download from the Web.

But after five years, CCP has finally seen fit to sell the sci-fi game the old-fashioned way, courtesy of a new distribution agreement with Atari. A boxed version of the game will be available in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific territories in March 2009.

"This venture will enable CCP to reach a wider audience and increase the visibility and awareness of the wildly popular franchise, which has grown steadily year-on-year since its release in 2003," the firm said in a statement.

CCP said EVE Online boasts 250,000 "loyal, active subscribers."

New expansions for the EVE Online will also come in 2009.

The boxed version of EVE Online will include a 60-day subscription, "exclusive extras" and nine previously-released expansions to the game.

As one reader pointed out after we posted our original story, EVE Online was available at brick-and-mortar retail when it launched in 2003, courtesy of Simon & Schuster, before that company dropped games. CCP took it upon itself to distribute the game digitally afterwards.