The servers will go live sometime on the 22nd according to what I was told, so that they are ready when the first couple of people return home with a copy...
Would be kinda dissapointing comming home, ripping up package, and then find out that the servers are down, I think I would get a "minor" fit of rage :))) Just a "minor" one, NOT ! So I am pretty sure that the servers are ready when you return with your copy...