I don't know if this applies to Direct2Drive or not, but if you pre-ordered the digital version through Steam, Civ5 is currently available to pre-load right now.

Authorization won't be until Tuesday at 10 am EDT, I'm sure, but at least you'll be ready to go at that time if you pre-load.

D2D can pre-load too.

Either stick your code into steam and download from them, or download from D2D and install into steam.

Either way, you get the same end result.

Old news...days old...but they split the forums and moved stuff around.

Almost feels dead without everybody being packed into the one forum. :/

D2D can pre-load too.

Either stick your code into steam and download from them, or download from D2D and install into steam.

Either way, you get the same end result.

You can't download it directly from D2D.

Moved to the technical subsection.

If you bought from D2D only get an activation code from them. You enter the code in Steam and then download the game from them the same as if you bought it directly from steam. And yes, you have been able to preload since last week sometime.