Is it possible to download the game through steam without opening the box of the game. Or do I have to buy it again through Steam in order to DL it from there?

I'm guessing here since i don't have it yet but if you got an x-ray machine you may be able to read the cd key without opening the box which might allow you to do that.

I imagine you're being funny, but for the record, that wouldn't work.

Actually I'm being ignorant, I seriously didn't think about that. So as long as I have the key in my possession I would be able to download it anytime I want?

I've never used steam so i can't say for sure but i think it may be like battle.net where you put in the cd key and your able to download it anytime. Maybe someone with more experience can come along and give you a definite answer. Or it could be on their website maybe.

Here's the process I went through.

I bought the retail copy of the Collectors Edition of Fallout New Vegas for PC.
Cracked open the main box.
Took out the shrink wrapped DVD case.
Opened said DVD case, found authentication serial number/code inside.
Opened Steam client (I already had Steam), and chose to register a new product/game code.
Entered Fallout: New Vegas serial code that was found in DVD case.
Game was added to my Steam Games Library.
Downloaded game and installed off Steam. Game is like 6 gigs or so? So the download took a while.
Took a dump, a shower, walked to convenience store and bought an Arizona Arnold Palmer Lite and a lighter, returned to Apartment.
Read the short but nice hardcover graphic novel included with the CE.
Installation complete.
Registered 2nd code found inside DVD case, for the Wasteland Pack or Wanderers Pack, or whatever it's called.
Installation complete.
Launch Fallout New Vegas.
Roll Character.
Play Game.


The DVD never left the case.

Installing off of the DVD would have been WAY quicker, but I wasn't quite sure how the steam integration would have worked, or if it would have been limited to just security. I want Steam to manage the patches and updates for me so I don't have to do anything for me.