I bet you are one of those parents that allow their 8year old to buy GTA III and then complain that you didn't know whats in it. In our daily lives for the last couple years we have been told to check into a game before you buy it. It doesn't take more than 10minutes of your time to type in a search for "X game" and read up about it. I wouldn't be wrong in saying you are in the minority. Most people I know that even think about playing an MMO get actual information from the official site and forums and reviews from magazines, websites, tv, and even the news. Paying to play a game is still a fairly new concept for most people and I know many who said, "Why would I ever do that?" a couple years ago now playing one if not more different MMOs. I like most people have read about a game before I go buy it. To put money down at a game store about a year ago and not read up about it monthly and then weekly/daily before release just seems a little out of whack, if you were indeed anticipating the release of this game as you say, you surely would of been able to participate in the 2day head start with the pre-order package.
