That was one of my favorite ploys by George Lucas. Kick a VHS edition of the movie out (while people still had their VCRs) and charge more than normal for it, let everyone buy it, and then a year later release the DVD and watch everyone rebuy it. Fucking brilliant.

I may not like his direction style and I may think he's a fucking cocksucker, but the guy knows how to milk his fanbase for all they're worth.