Well it does say the pre-load (for the USA at least) will be available today at 12pm Local time.

As for what i think about the game, I have to actually PLAY the game first, After thinking about it, why Judge a game before it's out? Sure SIMCITY stunk on ice when the servers couldn't even download it, I'm pretty sure that is why EA will allow 2 days to let us download it. So they avoid a DDoS kind of meltdown on Origin.

On another note,

I have watched the few Twitch 45 minute streams, and other than the people talking obnoxiously I thought the game looked okay, the Switching between neighborhoods looked seamless. As a Day one Sims 1, 2 & 3 player, the speed issues have been addressed, BUT I have to say, I don't remember if they disclosed what CPU/GPU they were using.. I hope my AMD 840 and ATI 7750 will handle the game just fine.. Simcity does seem to work just fine, sure it could be faster, but it's not impacting normal gameplay.

It does have highs, and some lows..

I really like the game.. It's clearly taking flack because SIMCITY sucked so tremendously.. But for a base game it has more than enough, and the Instant rooms are nice. Make sure you look for my stuff on the gallery, I have a few good houses,rooms,etc.,

As for the lighting issue, just get a ton of lights on the ceiling, problem solved..