Yeah mate if you pre ordered in-store then you'll have to pick it up in-store on the 20th and pay the rest of the price, Mail pre-orders were sent out ridiculously early to beat the xmas post office rush!

Thanks for the clarification on this, I guessed that's how it would work

So, pre ordered from GAME (in the UK) and my discs turned up yesterday, I'm guessing that the code inside the case to start my game time on my account won't be valid until the 20th? Am I right in thinking this or can I enter it now? I haven't had any early access email yet so I haven't started to play as of yet, Cheers.

Hmm lets think, because this isn't the launch maybe? The game is not officially out until the 20th, that's why this is called EARLY ACCESS. People seriously need to chill out over not getting to play the game a full week before its official release!