Word on the street is that all the early access codes going out are the same - they do not take into account what edition of the game one has pre-ordered. How, then, will people wishing to play an Imperial do so at the outset?

I don't understand? they simply create the imperial char in the beginning? Or do you think the servers will crash by the preorder player?

You do not have access to Imperials without the digital/physical Imperial edition. If all early access codes are the same, then those who ordered these editions will have to wait to receive their retail code to actually start playing the game as an Imperial.

Seems a bit odd that this isn't a bigger issue. Perhaps there's a detail out there I've missed.

Well right now everyone that bought the digital imperial edition received only the explorer's pack code. They have to receive their imperial edition codes before early access starts, so they'll be able to make imperials.

And those that went with physical copies?

It's been confirmed that those who bought the digital version through the official store will receive their full key before early access. It will probably be the same for other retailers (in my opinion). The real concern is for people who bought the physical version. It's been raised multiple times on these forums but I have yet to see an official answer.

Indeed. I'm a big fan of both Malcolm McDowell and Molag Bal (not to mention Imperials), so the physical edition was an absolute must have. I'll be quite peeved if I essentially need to skip out on early access in order to roll my main first.

The imperial edition bonus is a standalone code that you will get, you will not find it in the physical box if you order the physical edition. Meaning you will most probably get it in you email account associated with the retailer that you bought the game from, unless they write it on a piece of paper and send it to you Reading from the faq they say you will be able to redeem on the 4th, though then you would not be able to get ingame the 5 days earlier so most probably you will get the imperial before too, though I have no official statement on that, only that after the 4th.

https://help.elderscrollsonline.com/app/storefaq

Thanks for the information, but the information you quote does not expressly state the conclusion you've come to. The first answer does not refer to the physical edition specifically, and the second only refers to early access/general pre-order features rather than the bonus items from the Imperial editions. And yes, I've sent my retailer a message about it. Odds are, they'll be perplexed by it, as usual.

The first answer refers to the digital content that you will get from the imperial edition in other words: the horse, the rings of mara, the crab and the imperial race. That is digital content, as in what you can have in the actual game.

It does not refer only to the digital edition either, so usual conclusion would be it is for both the physical and digital.

The second answer I made the last part bold, though it is not as big as I wanted, as an option that you can contact from the shop that you want to buy the game from and ask them about how they will give you the game and it's content.

edit: atleast where I live contacting the retailer asking for info on their product that you want to buy, they almost always have proper info on how they will ship/send it to you.

As to the first, it makes no references either way, so it's a little presumptuous to make the leap that it's talking about either or both. Not saying that they're not doing so, merely that they aren't clear about it at all and I'm not going to make assumptions. Secondly, I have contacted them. And a few other retailers, too. If past experience proves to be reliable, the first round of e-mails will be confused as to the existence of any preorder whatsoever.

unboxing guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbqp7bpalmY

said the imperial digital will be inside the box you get.

I know my retailer have when I preordered before sent me the box so I get it on the early date and so I feel comfortable with getting the imperial stuff on 5 day early. Though it is different with different retailers.

though this is mostly speculations that wont get you calm though.