It looks like the SC5 torrent was released back in October...the SC5 videos say they are still working on the code and improvements up until the release date (yea right). What is the point of preordering? It look like you get the relatively useless expansion packs and the "$50 savings" is in the form of a $10 coupon code you can use 5x on other games from the same publishers. Since they aren't shipping the game and it is direct download, what's the point of giving them your money early? besides getting some cheesy superhero expansion pack with the "limited edition" set?
Here is a post from Amazon about the game and it's limitations FYI. I was excited about SC5 until I saw all of this:
Sim City has the following restrictions (features) that have all been stated by Maxis employees:
-You must connect to Origin to load or save your city (see next item).
-Games are saved to the cloud (EA Servers).
-Saved games once loaded must be saved so you can't change your mind and go back and reload the city.
-Other players Cities will influence yours even in 'single player' mode.
-No god mode terraforming. (This includes how much resources are available and where they are).
-No modding allowed at launch (if at all).
-No building density zoning.
-Buildings may spam along a single road.
-Dumbed down micro-management.
-Limited population (Max 200,000 agents, 1 agent can be coal, electricity, water, SimPerson, vehicle, and more, so do the maths!)
-The city tile size is only equivalent to a medium city in SC4.
-You only get European building sets if you buy the game as a digital download direct from origin.
You'd think requiring the online/cloud stuff is going to encourage piracy as people are going to want NOCD cracks and bypass DCM.
