What does "Pre-Release" mean exactly?

Question

I pre-ordered the sims 2 apartment life for direct download thinking that when the website said pre-release wed august 27th, 2008, 12:00:00 CDT. that i would be able to download the game at that date and time. I'm guessing i was wrong because its now nearly 45 minutes past that time and no download, in fact it still has the option for pre-order. I've never done a pre-order with EA games so i really dont know how this works so if anyone does, please let me know. maybe i'm just being impatient but i really would like to know whats happening. please help.

side question, does 12:00:00 CDT mean am or pm? because that could clear up this whole thing.

Answer 1

I am having a similar problem! As soon as I got home from school today, I assumed that I would be able to download Apartment Life because I pre-ordered it yesterday. I was under the impression that the game was to be released at twelve AM, but now I am thinking it will be released at noon CDT?! Call me a nerd, but I am really hoping that it comes out at noon today because I can't wait much longer!

I have only used the Direct Download once before with IKEA stuff, and it worked fine so I'm hoping that this will all work out today as well...

Answer 2

I'm experiencing the same problem. I've searched around and I think CDT, although not directly translated, refers to Central Standard Time. I'm on the East coast and I think I'll get it at 1:00?

Answer 3

I'm EST here also. It's now close to 1:30 and still waiting.

Answer 4

Pre-Release is saying that the game isn't in shelves yet but you can order the game online so that when the game does come out you get it as soon as possible.