I take this means one can on only order the game in the U.S. today. Store web site's I go to say it will be available on 7/25.

Does anyone know which stores have it in stock today?

None as they aren't allowed to sell it till tomorrow.

lol?

Wtf is going on with the American market? I've been playing it now for 4 days!

Amazon.com still says it will ship today. Delivery estimate is tomorrow (To FL), as I paid for 1 day Shipping. Of course, it will take another couple of days fo me to get it.

Why have they delayed the American launch of the game?

Why have they delayed the American launch of the game?

The million-dollar question.

The million-dollar question.

No clue but I think it has something to do with the "order size" and the production facilities.

I mean, face facts, supplying Austrailia and a few European Countries (but not even Germany yet, if I heard it right), probably was a lot easier to pump out.

But even more interesting, I think, is that first patch's only fix was listed as "Synchronizing American and European Releases"...so maybe they knew there were a few last minute bugs they wanted to still fix before the American release but were willing to let the rest of the world get a slightly earlier release candidate? I also almost assume that they THOUGHT the process outside of the US would take a little longer than it ended up taking so they could have had a truly simultaneous release but the European/Australian distributors were more efficient then our folk gave them credit.

When I worked at EB a few years ago, I noticed that the release date given by websites was always a day before it hit the store shelves. This means that the games are actually at the warehouses at the date given and are shipping to customers and retailers that day. The reason that that date is given, as opposed to the store shelf date, is for those who order it online. The release the date that it ships so that people are not crying, "where's my game?" when the date arrives. Otherwords, people would just go to the store on the day of release instead of ordering online (or maybe do both) so that they can get the game.

If you get the release date directly from the store that you want to pick it up at, they will often list the day after the websites list as when it will be in.

The only things I've ever seen hit shelves on the date announced as a release are consoles (and accompying launch game). Of course, that is because they ship out earlier than the date to make sure that the units are in stores when the lines begin to form.

I mean, face facts, supplying Austrailia and a few European Countries (but not even Germany yet, if I heard it right), probably was a lot easier to pump out.

'A lot', maybe not. A combined population of one hundre million (UK, Australia and the Netherlands) against three hundred million in the US. So one third 'easier'.

Don't know that this is the explanation.

The million-dollar question.

Hardly. More like the $3.85 question. You'd think an earlier release = more money for them... you'd think...

Maybe Australia really is the beta continent. :crazyeye:

'A lot', maybe not. A combined population of one hundre million (UK, Australia and the Netherlands) against three hundred million in the US. So one third 'easier'.

You forgot the 10 million people in Belgium! :nono:

I pre-ordered the game at my local EB Games where my brother works and he said it won't be available for sale there until tomorrow. :(

He'll be taking me there before opening so I can grab BtS and he can get Guitar Hero Rock the 80's. :lol:

July 23? what is that date? I got the game over a week ago and already unified the world a couple times.....I guess Americans are slow :D

You forgot the 10 million people in Belgium! :nono:

Mon dieu! How could I.

Maybe Australia really is the beta continent. :crazyeye:


We are. :lol:

Amazon.com still says it will ship today. Delivery estimate is tomorrow (To FL), as I paid for 1 day Shipping. Of course, it will take another couple of days fo me to get it.

i just checked amazon for some reason it said they will not ship until the 28th of july

i just checked amazon for some reason it said they will not ship until the 28th of july
Amazon burned a lot of people during Civ 4's debut. I'm not sure what their problem was, but after waiting several days for an order which kept being pushed further and further back, I went to a store and bought the game.

Amazon burned a lot of people during Civ 4's debut. I'm not sure what their problem was, but after waiting several days for an order which kept being pushed further and further back, I went to a store and bought the game.
i pre ordered from gogamer.com they still have the 24th date lets see but alot pre order from amazon .civ 4 i believe i pre ordered from ebgames.com amazon is a little expensive for the most part

I live about 20 miles from Firaxis... should I go drive over and knock on their front door to request a copy? :)

I live about 20 miles from Firaxis... should I go drive over and knock on their front door to request a copy? :)


I'm amazed you haven't done so already... ;)

I know I would be tempted, sneak up on the Civ4 team in their cafeteria, plot their way to their favorite Starbucks, get into an 'accidental' chat, beg them out of a game copy ... :D

I just checked my Amazon order status. It says delivery estimate of 7-24...

I just checked my Amazon order - it hans't shipped yet!
It was supposed to ship today (23rd) and arrive on the 25th. It still stays it will arrive on the 25th - but seeing as I paid for two-day delivery, I would imagine it needs to ship TODAY to make it her by the 25th.

Anyone else check to see if their order has shipped?

Amazon has not yet shipped my copy. They give a ship estimate of 7/24, delivery of 7/26 - 7/28...

I just checked my Amazon order - it hans't shipped yet!
It was supposed to ship today (23rd) and arrive on the 25th. It still stays it will arrive on the 25th - but seeing as I paid for two-day delivery, I would imagine it needs to ship TODAY to make it her by the 25th.

Anyone else check to see if their order has shipped?

Checking Amazon now... Not yet shipped! :mad:
The game has to ship today if I want to receive it by tomorrow.

*All bug eyed and exhausted... hair in a mess... shaking nervously while drinking his 29th Coca-Cola in an unkown period of time*

I can see them! I do! They're there. Watching us. Laughing. Making jokes. Wondering what vile things they can do. They've been changed you see. Gandhi from Civ I and his younger brother Gandhi from Civ II took over Firaxis. They rule over Sid. They changed them. They're trying to subdue to the world. They're out to get us!

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

...

:lol: ;) :mischief: :p

Seriously though, this is annoying. You think they'd just say when to expect in stores rather then drive us nuts wondering what in Civilization is going on.

Amazon says in stock on the 28th.

My pre-order:

Shipping estimate: July 27, 2007
Delivery estimate: August 1, 2007 - August 3, 2007

Ok, apparently you people don't understand the way shipping works. First of all, packages are almost never shipped from Amazon or any other shipping company on Saturday or Sunday. Second of all, they probably ran out of their current stock and won't get any more until the 28th, which is when it says they'll have it in stock.

And for those of you whining that it's not at your store yet, a release date almost ALWAYS mean the date when it is shipped from company warehouses, not the date when it will be at the stores. So wait a couple of days and it will arrive. It's called patience.

Well, la dee da, Mr. Patience Pants.

Uh, hows about Direct-2-Drive. Download straight to your computer. Delivery lead time is about 1 hour :). Same price, same quality, no wait! Why sit around waiting for the stores to get their act together? Why stew in your misery while waiting for your shipment, or worse, paying for NEXT DAY delivery? If you have DSL, Cable, or better, why not just DL it?

Is it already available for download?

edit - there's a link for "download," but it say it's a pre-order. WTF?

So, I'll just continue waiting for Amazon, which I'll cancel if it hasn't shipped before it becomes available in stores.

IIRC, Direct2Drive also has to upload their own versions of any patches. I've read a lot of complaints that sometimes that can take days or more after a patch is released. So you might save a day or so on the initial release, but you'll still end up waiting on patches and unforunately while you are waiting, you wont be able to play multiplayer games against folks who have already patched.

Uh, hows about Direct-2-Drive. Download straight to your computer. Delivery lead time is about 1 hour :). Same price, same quality, no wait! Why sit around waiting for the stores to get their act together? Why stew in your misery while waiting for your shipment, or worse, paying for NEXT DAY delivery? If you have DSL, Cable, or better, why not just DL it?

My only gripe is you are definitely second tier priority for patches and may have to wait an extra week or more.

Just drove around my city and guess what? No BTS until tomorrow! Apparntly release only means it just hit the trucks....


BOO!

@blitzkrieg1980...

I chose Amazon over Direct2Drive this time because of what happened with Warlords...

My retail Civ 4 and my downloaded Warlords were (apparently) not compatible. I tired everything, and spent way to long on both the Direct2Drive and Firaxis support lines. (never got it to work, ended up buying it at EB)
Didn't want to risk the same frustration with BtS!!

Amazon.com still says it will ship today. Delivery estimate is tomorrow (To FL), as I paid for 1 day Shipping. Of course, it will take another couple of days fo me to get it.

Hrm, Amazon told me it wouldn't ship until the 30th. Guess they ran out of stock. I'll just have to brave traffic and go pick it up at the store tomorrow.

I live about 20 miles from Firaxis... should I go drive over and knock on their front door to request a copy? :)

Really! I'm not much further... I'm in Parkville!

I'm amazed you haven't done so already...

I know I would be tempted, sneak up on the Civ4 team in their cafeteria, plot their way to their favorite Starbucks, get into an 'accidental' chat, beg them out of a game copy ...

If I were going to go to that extreme, I'd go further...

Instead of stalking them for a game, I'd stalk them for a job!!! Now, if only I could Mod.

On Steam it is not available until 7/24.

The thing that makes me want to "throw my hands up like Montezuma" in frustration is that when you ask for the game...it's like Fight Club....No one knows WTF you're talking about! You get that blank stare or "Do I have civilized what?" Even today I went to WalMart and Eb Games and they made it seem as if I was asking for enriched uranium...or as if said "Voldemort" aloud

Uh, hows about Direct-2-Drive. Download straight to your computer. Delivery lead time is about 1 hour :). Same price, same quality, no wait! Why sit around waiting for the stores to get their act together? Why stew in your misery while waiting for your shipment, or worse, paying for NEXT DAY delivery? If you have DSL, Cable, or better, why not just DL it?

No! Nobody go to D2D... at least until after 5PM tomorrow! Stay away from D2D!


That should give enough time for me to dl my copy before the bandwidth begins to jam

;)

Really! I'm not much further... I'm in Parkville!



If I were going to go to that extreme, I'd go further...

Instead of stalking them for a game, I'd stalk them for a job!!! Now, if only I could Mod.

I'm in Lutherville. Literally around the corner. I grocery shop there at Wegmans. I keep expecting to see Sid :). I can't go bang on their door now, cuz I'm out of town...

On Steam it is not available until 7/24.

I planned on passing on this (NOT BtS but a direct downloable form of it)...but hey, if its available first thing in the morning on the 24th...what can I say, I'm weak.

The thing that makes me want to "throw my hands up like Montezuma" in frustration is that when you ask for the game...it's like Fight Club....No one knows WTF you're talking about! You get that blank stare or "Do I have civilized what?" Even today I went to WalMart and Eb Games and they made it seem as if I was asking for enriched uranium...or as if said "Voldemort" aloud

LOL, yea, I got to where I specifically said that it was not the original Civ IV and described the BtS box... I even had a clerk ask me, "IV means 4 right?"

I just called Wal-Mart, and they said that it didn't come in on the truck today.

I really, really hate having the only near game shop being GameCrazy (which, of course, is the ONLY one that doesn't sell PC games) and the only other near store that even sells videogames being Target...

Ah, well. I suppose I can wait a tad.

For those looking at digital distribution I would suggest Steam over D2D, some people seem to hate Steam but I find it works better in terms of patches as they seem to come out quicker.

That been said I'm going to wait to get a boxed copy as I already have a boxed copy of Vanilla and Warlords and I'm a tad anal about things like that :p.

Also it looks like nobody (in North America) seems to have gotten the game yet. Not that surprising but I was hoping at least a few stores would have it out early.

With Steam you can preload the game and avoid the mad rush that happens the day of the release. I've had BTS sitting on my drive for almost a week waiting for them to flip the switch. You can also make a backup archive to burn to CD. I believe there is some setting you can enable so you don't have to connect to Steam every time you want launch the game.

I just called Gamestop and they said that it is shipped today, allowed to be sold tomorrow.

With Steam you can preload the game and avoid the mad rush that happens the day of the release. I've had BTS sitting on my drive for almost a week waiting for them to flip the switch. You can also make a backup archive to burn to CD. I believe there is some setting you can enable so you don't have to connect to Steam every time you want launch the game.

While I have no idea how you would know if you can't run it yet, any clue if this is the latest patched version or at least this US version (which I assume is a slightly newer build than the Euro/World version)?

Hardly. More like the $3.85 question. You'd think an earlier release = more money for them... you'd think...

Maybe Australia really is the beta continent. :crazyeye:

:rolleyes:

Anyhow, there was probably some mix-up with Firaxis and Take-Two. With all the excitement over the release and what ever top-secret projects they are working on.

You know, this whole thing just encourages piracy. I bet the only people in the Americas that have the game right now have just downloaded the torrent and are playing the game while laughing at us idiots, who wait for the legal game to be available in stores.

With a lot of games tuesday is a very typical release date for games video's and movies. Our local Best Buy is getting the game on wednesday. Eb is getting it on tuesday. they usualy charge more than best buy.

I keep expecting to see Sid :)

I've run into him at Andy Nelson's. Mmmmm.....

Why have they delayed the American launch of the game?

Probably a wardrobe malfunction bug with Boudica :p

Amazon is routinely crap with shipping new games. The release date will say they ship out on the official date, but Amazon never does so. If you want to pre-order a game online, I've always found it best to go with Gamestop (one day shipping with them has always meant I get my copy on time; plus unlike buying it at the store, it's always shrink wrapped and un-opened.)

Well just for the heck of it, I went to a few EB games, BestBuy and Future Shop locations (West-end of Toronto here for anyone else nearby who reads) and none of them had the game arrive today, but all said they will be getting it by noon tomorrow - Tuesday the 24th.

If anyone in my area happens by chance to read this and found otherwise, do let me know :lol:

-AM-

Down here in South Florida same thing.....getting it tomorrow 07/24/07 @ noon



"Uhhh one of our captured officers!" (shows Lord Conwallis the man made of straw) -The Patriot

:mad: I just called Gamestop and he said it is still showing pre-order status.He told me to come in lay 5 bucks down to reserve it so I can make sure it will show up in the next couple of days.I asked why should I make two trips to get this game.He said there is no guarantee there store will get this game without a pre-order WTF?

While I have no idea how you would know if you can't run it yet, any clue if this is the latest patched version or at least this US version (which I assume is a slightly newer build than the Euro/World version)?

I had a little update message come up when I opened up Steam and it mentioned the Vanilla and Warlords patches were released on the 20th.

http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=news&id=1132&cc=US
http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=news&id=1133&cc=US

If I had to guess, I'd say BTS will probably be patched as well, I don't see any logical reason why it wouldn't be, but that's just a guess.

Supposedly it'll also work with the retail boxed version of Civ 4, so you don't have to purchase Vanilla Civ from Steam as well.

:mad: I just called Gamestop and he said it is still showing pre-order status.He told me to come in lay 5 bucks down to reserve it so I can make sure it will show up in the next couple of days.I asked why should I make two trips to get this game.He said there is no guarantee there store will get this game without a pre-order WTF?

Could be a bunch of BS to get some pre-orders (I wouldn't put them past that) but I also think PC games are taking a back seat to console stuff. Why make a special point to overnight a game if they don't know they have at least SOME slathering fanboys waiting outside the door when they open up?

I had a little update message come up when I opened up Steam and it mentioned the Vanilla and Warlords patches were released on the 20th.

http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=news&id=1132&cc=US
http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=news&id=1133&cc=US

If I had to guess, I'd say BTS will probably be patched as well, I don't see any logical reason why it wouldn't be, but that's just a guess.

Supposedly it'll also work with the retail boxed version of Civ 4, so you don't have to purchase Vanilla Civ from Steam as well.

All three patches SEEMED to be announced on the same day...but then I was never clear if the Vanilla and Warlords patches were included with BtS EVEN BEFORE the BtS patch.

Yes, with very few exceptions, 'major' PC game releases are barely a blip on the radar compared with console titles. I'm sure most retailers like EB will make more on Madden '08 (for the consoles) in the first few hours than they will on BTS the whole time its sold.

Could be a bunch of BS to get some pre-orders (I wouldn't put them past that) but I also think PC games are taking a back seat to console stuff. Why make a special point to overnight a game if they don't know they have at least SOME slathering fanboys waiting outside the door when they open up?I agree,It's like these stores thinks it's a real pain to sell PC games.But this isn't some strategy game that might sell maybe 1 copy in a store,this is CIV.

my whole gripe with the direct 2 drive is why is it the same price as the package when the company does not have to box it or send you a manual it should be about 10 dollars cheaper to download.

dang, am I the only person that ordered it directly from take2? Still don't have it yet, neither do nearby stores, but hoping its only another day or two.

Just got the call from my pre-order store (EB), saying it should be in before noon tomorrow.

Just got the call from my pre-order store (EB), saying it should be in before noon tomorrow.yeah they are also shipping it to over at ebgames.com

All three patches SEEMED to be announced on the same day...but then I was never clear if the Vanilla and Warlords patches were included with BtS EVEN BEFORE the BtS patch.

Apparently when you install BtS it will automatic patch Vanilla and Warlords (if present). This is similar to how Warlords will patch Vanilla to 1.61 when you install it.

:mad: I just called Gamestop and he said it is still showing pre-order status.He told me to come in lay 5 bucks down to reserve it so I can make sure it will show up in the next couple of days.I asked why should I make two trips to get this game.He said there is no guarantee there store will get this game without a pre-order WTF?

They say that for 2 reasons.

1, to cover their asses in case they don't get enough copies to meet demand. Most stores cannot control how many they get. Some can, because they are a bigger store, so they generate more $$$, and so they can control their stock better. For smaller games they sometimes they get only like 2-5. This probably won't happen with BtS, but one can never be sure.

2, to get the $$$ NOW. It's always better to get the $$$ now as opposed to later. It's always possible something happens that the game will not sale once it hits the shelves. Either reviews, a bug, or world event that affects the game (like a terrorism game would have been pulled if it came out on 9/11).

Apparently when you install BtS it will automatic patch Vanilla and Warlords (if present). This is similar to how Warlords will patch Vanilla to 1.61 when you install it.

oh no, that sounds bad, maybe temporarily ruin a few mods I have.

2, to get the $$$ NOW. It's always better to get the $$$ now as opposed to later. It's always possible something happens that the game will not sale once it hits the shelves. Either reviews, a bug, or world event that affects the game (like a terrorism game would have been pulled if it came out on 9/11).

And I have seen FIRST HAND that they, while technically OBLIGATED to give you back your $5 reservation money if you change your mind or get it somewhere else, they will try every trick in their bag to have you apply the $5to some OTHER reservation as opposed to just refunding you.

In my case I'd forgotten all about doing a $5 reservation for Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon months before. I got it at another store. When I was at this Gamestop and they reminded me,

GS Cleark: Hey, we still have your $5 reservation for PMD here.
Me: I guess you can just apply that to the game I'm buying here today then.
GS Clerk: Or I could just put it down as a reservation for Pokemon Diamond...
Me: No, that's okay, I really have no interest in that game.
GS Clerk: Oh really, why not?

(I stood there stunned, since when did I need to justify my desire to NOT reserve a game?).

All three patches SEEMED to be announced on the same day...but then I was never clear if the Vanilla and Warlords patches were included with BtS EVEN BEFORE the BtS patch.

Oh yeah I see your point. I sounds like they are included, and Firaxis just waited until the BTS release to make them available. I guess the real question is when did Stream receive the BTS patch and what is the turnaround time for them to get a patch up?

I have to admit, I really wasn't getting that antsy before, but now that it's down to the wire, I really am! It's partly because I want to test a mod I'm working on, and I don't know whether I should update it for Warlords 2.13 or just wait the couple days for BtS.. hmm

I wish the "release date" meant the date it hit stores... and I'm not just saying that because I wish it were in the store today. I just hate the fact that I'll be waiting and counting down the days for a game's release and I'll have to be constantly reminding myself that it's going to be at least until the day after the release date before I'll get it....

It's like running downstairs on the morning of December 25th and being greeted by some pimpe-faced teenager in a tacky uniform that they're sorry for the inconvenience but Christmas has just been shipped from the warehouse and won't be here until tomorrow.

Whoo. Forget driving, I'll just download it from Steam. Seems fast enough. Maybe 2% a minute? Ehh.

God, I love Valve.

...er, 613.7 KB/s. That's quite a bit faster than my usual downloads. Cool beans.

Well just for the heck of it, I went to a few EB games, BestBuy and Future Shop locations (West-end of Toronto here for anyone else nearby who reads) and none of them had the game arrive today, but all said they will be getting it by noon tomorrow - Tuesday the 24th.

If anyone in my area happens by chance to read this and found otherwise, do let me know :lol:

-AM-

I'm glad to hear this. I'm in Ottawa, so I'm hoping my local EB (where I already put $5 down on it) will have it tomorrow as well.

I called EBGamestop's customer service. The rep on the other end said that their current allocation of BtS is in the process of being prepared for shipment, which should go out some time tonight. I expect to get up tomorrow to see an email notification of the shipment and tracking number. Business as usual for them.

Whoo. Forget driving, I'll just download it from Steam. Seems fast enough. Maybe 2% a minute? Ehh.

God, I love Valve.

...er, 613.7 KB/s. That's quite a bit faster than my usual downloads. Cool beans.


Hmm I thought about doing that, but neither Steam nor Direct2Drive release it today. Both state tomorrow. Ah well, I'd much rather have a CD and a manual.

I ordered on-line and next day shipping. My game has been billed and is being shipped as of 8:26pm EST today. So I should get it tomorrow afternoon. This means it should arrive at your stores tomorrow afternoon and be on shelves by evening. good luck.

Yeah! No clue if somebody else posted this info but its a good sign in my book. Look here:

http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=647031

Does it still say "Pre-Order"? No it does not. So THEY (Gamestop/EB Games) have the game in their master warehouse at least.

Will they TRULY overnight it to get to your local shop tomorrow? Hopefully.

I recieved no call from EB.:( I pre-paid in full so I will be there early afternoon, which they suggested at the time of my pre-order.

I recieved no call from EB.:( I pre-paid in full so I will be there early afternoon, which they suggested at the time of my pre-order.

Me neither but maybe they don't do this for low priority PC titles? Like it has to at least be over $30 for them to have it register?

Well just for the heck of it, I went to a few EB games, BestBuy and Future Shop locations (West-end of Toronto here for anyone else nearby who reads) and none of them had the game arrive today, but all said they will be getting it by noon tomorrow - Tuesday the 24th.

If anyone in my area happens by chance to read this and found otherwise, do let me know :lol:

-AM-

Hey alexmatusiak .... did the exact same thing :) I'm near mississauga, stopped @ EB games, Best Buy, Future Shop, even tried staples ! Nothing !

I was shocked to see in FutureShop at the front of the store they have a "future release date" poster, and BTS showed up as 28th !!! Clerk @ EB games said tomorrow, so I think I'll call and see if it's in .... let me know if you find it tomorrow, I'll do the same !

Will they TRULY overnight it to get to your local shop tomorrow? Hopefully.

Not likely. This isn't the kind of title that they will pay that much more to make sure that it's there fast. But then I'm a glass half empty kind of guy.

Not likely. This isn't the kind of title that they will pay that much more to make sure that it's there fast. But then I'm a glass half empty kind of guy.

:lol: I don't know if you really meant that to be funny, but it made me laugh.

I had a call from Gamestop tonight regarding my preorder. The nice automated lady-voice said I can expect it in the shop by noon tomorrow. Let's hope she was right. :)

I had a call from Gamestop tonight regarding my preorder. The nice automated lady-voice said I can expect it in the shop by noon tomorrow. Let's hope she was right. :)

I just got the same call, but mine said before noon!

Conspiracy.

You know, this whole thing just encourages piracy. I bet the only people in the Americas that have the game right now have just downloaded the torrent and are playing the game while laughing at us idiots, who wait for the legal game to be available in stores.

Yep. It's just a . .. .. .. .ing stupid situation that they put themselves in.

There's like ten thousand illegitimate copies floating around while we suckers who wish to support the company sit around and go "WTF" at this haphazard garbage. At least let Direct2Drive and Steam release the game on the 23rd if that's the supposed "release date."

Idiocy.

I had a call from Gamestop tonight regarding my preorder. The nice automated lady-voice said I can expect it in the shop by noon tomorrow. Let's hope she was right. :)
Ditto, from EB Games.

Yep. It's just a . .. .. .. .ing stupid situation that they put themselves in.

There's like ten thousand illegitimate copies floating around while we suckers who wish to support the company sit around and go "WTF" at this haphazard garbage. At least let Direct2Drive and Steam release the game on the 23rd if that's the supposed "release date."

Idiocy.


Release date has rarely meant the date it's ready for sale. It's not only Civ games. Granted this is a bad practice/mislabeling, but people should have gotten used to it by now. Yet, people still get worked up over this. I don't get it. I don't even buy too many games and I know this is how things go down.

However, I guess this time it is a bit more frustrating since the release turned into a disorganized mess.

Yep. It's just a stupid situation that they put themselves in.

There's like ten thousand illegitimate copies floating around while we suckers who wish to support the company sit around and go

True, the distribution was botched, but these things happen. As annoying and teasing as they can be.

True, but you have to admit despite botched shipping it seems like Firaxis put a lot of hard work into this one! They have more then earned it.

True, but you have to admit despite botched shipping it seems like Firaxis put a lot of hard work into this one! They have more then earned it.

I agree, waiting one more day is no biggie considering what we're getting :p

One day delay is nothing compared to what Blizzard does...hoooo-boy.

Yep. It's just a . .. .. .. .ing stupid situation that they put themselves in.

There's like ten thousand illegitimate copies floating around while we suckers who wish to support the company sit around and go "WTF" at this haphazard garbage. At least let Direct2Drive and Steam release the game on the 23rd if that's the supposed "release date."

Idiocy.

and...since when did any game hit shelves on its release date? NEVER! A game's release date is NOT a street date, like a movie's is. It is the shipping date to the retail stores that will be carrying it. Some games do have STREET DATES...those games WILL be available the date stated, because they were shipped in advance...just like movies.

Its not idiocy to say the release date when that is the shipping date...because online orders usually get shipped that day as well, and because it is the day that the publisher 'released' it to the public...it just takes the retailers an extra day or so to get it to you. Idiocy is refusing to understand this when its been standard practice in the game industry for years.

BTS is available (for installation, not just preload) on Steam now.

BTS is available (for installation, not just preload) on Steam now.
Indeed. Since I'm on the West Coast, and Valve is also here, it seems they're disregarding time zones and just letting everyone get it now.

Be warned: I pre-downloaded earlier, but this "validation" crap is taking forever. It's been going for quite a while now, and is only at 62%...

Come on, I want to play!

Indeed. Since I'm on the West Coast, and Valve is also here, it seems they're disregarding time zones and just letting everyone get it now.

Be warned: I pre-downloaded earlier, but this "validation" crap is taking forever. It's been going for quite a while now, and is only at 62%...

Come on, I want to play!

Considering all the preloaded files are encrypted, that's probably what's taking it so long. I'm glad I checked on the forums before going to bed, my Steam client didn't refresh itself telling me BTS was actually available. I had to exit Steam and restart it to get it to let me start validating it. No sleep tonight!

richarnd, nice first post since Mar 2004. :)

Hmm...

Seems I've hit a snag. Though it let me validate it, it now just says the pre-loading is complete, and that I must wait for the game to be officially released before I can play it.

Maybe that means Midnight PST... Fifty six minutes.

Oh well, I guess we'll know at Midnight. In the meantime, I guess I'll browse through the XML. Judging from what I've read, I should take out the poison water/foment unrest espionage missions and change the inflation (which I was going to set to 0% anyway since that's how I've got the old game setup).

Looking through the text of the random events is fun, too.

The last game I bought was the 2nd expansion of Ultima Online, so I did not realize the difference in dates. I was thinking all along I would be able to go to the store on the 23rd and pick the game up. Ah, just chalk it up as a "I have a headache today, honey" excuses and just go do something else. Either way, they know they are getting my money. :coffee:

...

OK, so Steam seems to realize it's out. The pre-buy discount thing it had going is gone, the game is now in the "New Releases" section. But it won't let me play it.

I've turned off Steam multiple times, and clicked the little "Install Game" button on the Store page for BtS like a madman. Nothing.

Hopefully something will have changed by when I get up tomorrow...