» Question » Do I need the physical box for the gametime, CE goodies and to play?

I don't know all the details for sure, but for certain the early access stuff will be done by giving you a code via e-mail which will allow you to download the game. So, you should be able to play the game wherever you are.

There will probably be a code somewhere that marks you as a CE purchaser, I dunno if that'll be in the e-mail or on the actual box. If it's in the e-mail then you're fine regardless. If it's on the box, you won't be able to get access to your special CE stuff until you come home and enter the code. Worst case is they have some sort of deadline to enter those codes and it's shorter than your vacation. I don't know why they would do that, though.

Update Edit

New info from Bioware says that you will not have access to the CE stuff until you input your CE activation code which comes with the physical box. You will also not be able to play the game after release until you enter that code. You will still be able to play any pre-release access you get with your pre-order code. (swtor.com is down or I would link this)

I'm pretty sure that you will have your copy before the 18th! (my copy is being sent right now) So I don't think you should worry about missing out. :)

It appears that most stores will start sending out the game at the 15th, if the official forums are to be trusted.

Also, the 30 days of game time will start from the point that you enter the game code from your CE. So it has nothing to do when the servers go live.

From my understanding, once you have the client downloaded and your early access starts, you will be able to play for the remainder of the early access time. During this time without the code from your CE edition you will not be able to access those items.

Once the early access time ends you will receive 30 days of free playtime with the purchase of the game (all versions I believe). Whether this will be tied to your CE inbox code or not, I am not sure. I would guess that since you entered your preorder code that once the early access time ends you could simply enter your info (cc# and personal info) and continue to play from where ever you are.

Once you get home you can enter your CE code from the box and receive your rewards for that edition.

I am not sure if there will be a code in the box, for the physical copy, to play past the early access. I would hope for your case that the preorder code that you registered on the site would allow you to continue to play past early access. If no, then you may not be able to play the game past early access. In that case, enjoy the vaction and the holidays and when you get back the starter zones should be fairly less populated.

Okay for collectors edition, from my understanding, you can't get your goodies until you get the physical copy, how long you have to pick up your collectors edition will vary based on retailer.

If they are able to hold it til you get back, you can pick up your copy enter your code and keep going with your new goodies.

On the topic of the 1 month free, all editions get that, but chances are you will get to download the client for early access, than you might be able to play part of the month with just that. (i heard mention of a possible grace period for people to pick up their physical edition, so im guessing you get a couple days before you have to get the game past the 20th)

But again you won't be able to get any of your collectors edition items until you get the physical copy.

The only issue no one else has touched on is where this obviously well-earned vacation will be? If you pick a non-US/European country then you are indeed buggered!

There's ZERO possibility of you losing your CE stuff, so rest easy on that. The unfortunate thing is that once Early Access ends, there will only be a short grace period before you have to redeem the code included in your physical copy and activate your 30 free days.

However, I you could always just buy 30 days, then use the free 30 for later!