They anticipated selling stripped down cards to miners for a higher price. If they wanted gamers to have these cards they would just give out purchase invites

They anticipated selling stripped down cards to miners for a higher price. If they wanted gamers to have these cards they would just give out purchase invites via gaming hardware sites like Gamer's Nexus. They already make deals to supply OEMs before general retail, so all the gaming hardware being build is getting a supply either way.