Why? Pre-ordering outside Steam gets you the reward level 1 (Elite Soldier Pack), and with the -25% you should be able to buy Civ V GOTY on the next -75%.
On the other hand, if the 3 TF2 items are worth €12.5 to you, go with Steam.

P.S. The game is steamworks as I recall, check the requirements on XCOM.com

Preordering on Steam = Euro = +20% on it's own really. If I can get a $ version somewhere that already practically negates the price difference. I can trade/sell TF2 items for some extra, same with the game. Considering that the Steam version may actually be better for me. On top of that GMG is pretty bad with getting pre-order keys to people lately, loads of delays.

If I can get the RU version gifted without it having a lock or restricted language, it's a clear win.

The RU version is region locked, so no luck there :/
The Steam US price is also $49.99, so if you find an american to buy from GMG, it will be $37.49. Price difference are the same, change is the currency/
Oh, and in the UK it's 30 pounds, which means even cheaper than the US (for steam version).
But as you said, it depends on what you can get for the TF2 items and Civ V. I think I'm going to go with retail though, especially if I can get the Special Edition.

Aww, how can you tell the RU version is locked?

Edit: Nvm, found it.

Shame, but oh well, savings aside i'm getting this anyway, one way or another.

Having someone buy from GMG gets quite a bit more involving sadly, not sure I know anyone for that, but I do see your point. But if I want to do it myself I'm stuck to the Euro (or at least the credits I have, but I'm still saving them for stuff I'd *have* to spend Euro's on)

Meh, I'll get it on Amazon for 30$ when it is on sale. I'm still a little but cautious. If it is really that good, I can still spend some money on DLCs.

It seems that the Amazon one will also be restricted to North America. But I get your point, let it get the first patches and additions, then wait for a sale (3 months for xmas sale for example).

I think the NA version restricts purchase to that region but not play, but not sure about that either.

If I can get someone from the UK to purchase it for me from Steam it'd be the same price as the GMG one with discount (sad isn't it >.<). Just need to know what version the UK one will turn out to be then just to be sure.

Here you can see the RU version has onlyallowrunincountries = (restricts play to those countries), something the NA version doesn't have.

The ROW (Rest of World) version doesn't seem to have any play restrictions either.

The Steam pre-purchase RU version is not region locked, you will be able to play. The CDR is referring to the DVD version purchased retail in Russia.

Fudge! I really need to upgrade my XP...

You sure about that? I don't really know how the CDR database works, and they seem to have added a few more XCOM entries. See [url=http://cdr.thebronasium.com/sub/search/Search.name:xcom]here[/url], there are at least 2 RU entries for the game.

Well, that would certainly be awesome given the price it is in Russia on Steam.

$20, eh? Naah...
Tiered rewards look fun, in the "completely unnecessary" sense.

Curse you~~~~

Find a way for me to pay you and Gift me a copy xD

I wonder if they'll release a demo before the game comes out.

It's explained by a Russian trader on the Steamgifts forum -

'WRONG!!!
http://cdr.thebronasium.com/sub/16376
XCOM: Enemy Unknown Pre-Purchase Russia
->Billing Type ProofOfPrepurchaseOnly<-
PurchaseRestrictedCountries = AM AZ BY GE KZ KG MD RU TJ TM UZ UA
onlyallowrunincountries = AM AZ BY GE KZ KG MD RU TJ TM UZ UA
AllowPurchaseFromRestrictedCountries = 1

!!! RIGHT
http://cdr.thebronasium.com/sub/16558
XCOM Enemy Unknown (RU) PrePurchase
->Billing Type BillOnceOnly<-
PurchaseRestrictedCountries = AM AZ BY GE KZ KG MD RU TJ TM UZ UA
AllowPurchaseFromRestrictedCountries = 1

& NO ANY RESTRICTIONS!!!
billing type not the same!
its mean
1st you pay for DVD box copy (retail)
2nd you pay for online purchase (steam)
!!!SO RU VERSION NOW LIKE ROW & NA!!!'

http://www.steamgifts.com/forum/vousZ/xcom-region-lock