In most cases, pre-ordered games are shipped the day of their retail release date.

[MadTommy]

Originally Posted by JG52Uther

You're kidding right? It will be rarer than hens teeth in a store.

No, not kidding. why do you think it will be so hard to get in store?

I'd of thought with the popularity of IL2 & the fact that Ubisoft is handling distribution it will be in stores for release. But that is just my assumption, but I'm curious why you think otherwise?

Bottom line is I suppose if you have to have to on release day you'd best buy the download version.

(Unless your connection is as crap as mine..then that'll still take a day or so, as i reckon this will be a very large download).