Something interesting pops up when you place a pre-order through EBGames - you get a thank you note that reads:

Thanks for pre-ordering from EBgames.com! As an added benefit to
ordering from us, we'll keep you informed of ship date changes. We are
writing to let you know that the publisher has set a new ship date for
Everquest 2 of November, 8th 2004.

Can it be true, or is EBGames blowing smoke? We'll have to wait and see!