If I preorder online to get early access but buy the retail version...

[Svifnymr]

My understanding is that you have to put in the Retail Code within the first week (I guess to allow for shipping) or you'll go bye bye, but not right away.

[Spraxle]

On a similar tangent, I pre-ordered the CE from gamestop very early and entered the code, once the early access period ends is there any reason I would need to go pick up the box at a midnight release to keep playing?

Yes you'll still need to get your copy to get the game key for your account. Preorder key is like having half of your game key, it just flagged your account for the early access but won't last you past that.

[philefluxx]

I just think it's pretty dumb. I went up there to buy the game and the guy told me that the day before they literally stopped handing out early access codes. Kinda bullshit if you ask me.

I agree. Personally I went digital primarily to not have to depend on a delivery of my physical game, but when I started hearing about companies running out of pre-order keys I start wondering.... Wouldnt preorder keys be a 1:1 ratio? Or are they selling physical copies they are not guaranteed to have at launch? Or did they keep Early Access keys for themselves?