Of course there will, but the problem will be the same, digital or CD.

WHen you release a major piece of software, you don't put every patch on. You decide on a completion point, called a Gold Master. Once it's gold master, the image goes to the CD presser, or to the download site. You would want these the same. If you go to WoW's download site and get the Wrath download, it's not 4.0.1a, it's wrath 3.0.2 - the shipping version from Nov. 2008.

Why? Well, constancy mostly. You don't want multiple Gold Masters running around. It's easier to have one, then the update process will be consistent.

For what it's worth, MMO Champion is showing a graphic that says your account will not be upgraded and playable until 9:01 AM on the morning of the 7th....

@Caz: It shows your local time in Step 3.

I think it would be smart to wait until a day or two to play always, there will be a ton of new or returning players at launch.

Actually, Sainstryfe, when you download the client now, you download a streamable version that downloads parts as you play. Within an hour of starting, I was able to step inside Ruby Sanctum and get some loots.