So gamestop says the game will be released on 8/30 http://www.gamestop.com/pc/games/tropico-4/89291 ...does that mean that I'll be able to download it at midnight if I live in the EST?

In another thread a moderator, Melbourne, said "No, the 1st september is the official release date for the digital version of tropico 4 in all digital shops. (steam, impulse, gamesplanet and so on)."

I'm assuming that the official release date for digital versions would apply to ALL digital versions, including Gamestop. Who knows though. They might have something worked out where they can sell their digital copy on August 30th when they start selling them in stores.

I see. Well, the cat's already out of the bag since some people have it and others don't. Usually, a pre-order means that the game will ship to you and you should get it by the release date, not days before the release date. Tuesday is game/cd/movie release day in the U.S., so I would see it strange that it released on a Thursday...

The game is out in Germany and the UK already so that explains why people already have it. It's out in US retail tomorrow (tuesday) and *all* digital download versions launch worldwide this thursday.

Yep I said the same thing. No comment from the devs though. For some reason the physical copy is being released a couple days before digital in the US, which I find really strange.

It came out in Europe (or at least the UK) last week.....

Maybe they're just not that good at managing the shipping and stuff. It's quite possible that whoever IS managing these things isn't quite qualified for it. You know, cutting corners and all that.

Okay then...so Walmart should have it at midnight tonight then...

They should, but probably won't from the impression given by this thread. :L