Why is steam telling me I have to wait for the game to be officaily released before I can start playing it? It is the 20th back in the states, its the 21st here in baghdad, the game came out on the 19th. WTF is the problem

The dog is beaten and dead, let it rot away quietly. It is good to finally see this coming from someone other than an Australian though.

Bagdad isn't in the US. The international release date is 12:01am GMT on friday the 22nd. So you have to wait another ~35 hours.

this makes me want to punch a baby

Consider yourself lucky. I'd rather still be waiting for it then playing it and being frustrated that it's broken.

Apparently the October 22nd release date for Europe also applies to Guam. Guam is a U.S. territory in the Pacific. My game was purchased at GAMESTOP who posted the Oct 19th release date. The manager had no clue about release dates. This is the second time I've been pwned by GAMESTOP. First time was when I preordered Fallout 3 and it did not deliver for over 2 weeks after release. I got a refund.

I love Fallout but what a headache every time I try to purchase.

Just had a commercial on TV showing New Vegas at all retail outlets tomorrow on the 21st. No retailer name stated so likely the commercial was made by Bethesda - how funny. I wish I was a retailer of games tomorrow with games not unlocking for another day.

Retailers usually get the game on thursdays or earlier, they just don't put it up in the store. If I pre-buy a game from an online retailer then they will send it on the thursday so I will recive it in my mailbox on the friday.

The most annoying thing I ever experienced in this regard was when Gran Turismo 3 was released in summer 2001. A local store had a bunch of copies out in the store next to a huge sign saying they won't sell any copy until 3 weeks later.

The commercial explicitly states in store on the 21st - To the whole nation on the largest channel during one of the most popular shows in prime time. It was not a commercial stating we have it in stock but you will have to wait another day to play it. It was a promise to have to box in your hands on the 21st (which is what they will only have). The commercial was for physical stores - not on line retailers.