So I ordered a physical PC copy of the game from Amazon. It was shipped on Saturday, and I usually get a pretty good delivery rate so there's a chance I could get it today.

My question is pretty simple; if I install it today will I get into any trouble, or will Steam allow me to effectively "preload" from the disc and get that mandatory download out of the way early before unlocking at midnight just like the other digital versions?

PC doesn't play till God Gaben says so

As previously mentioned, i dont believe steam will allow you to.

You may be able to download the data that is on the disk though.

Seems strange that Steam would allow you to digitally preload, but won't allow you to install from disc to preload. I wholly accept (and indeed expect) that I wouldn't get to play early, not would I want to, but it would be nice for those of us fortunate to get a physical copy early to experience the same launch as digital owners.

you well get the same launch as digital owner add the code from case too steam press preload button disk installs 5ish GB and preloads the rest then you wait like everyone else to play simple.

Locked untill your steam's region lock is activated

Admittedly, i didnt read the original post very well. I have no idea if you can preload from disk, i thought you asked if you could download and play as soon as you had the disk. Sorry for being misleading

Ah, that's what I originally thought I could do, but the messages above were implying that Steam wouldn't even let me install it from disc early. Like I said, I DON'T want to play early, I just want to get it ready.

It's alright, no harm, no foul. I appreciate the apology.

even on the super off chance disk doesn't allow you install from it because its not active. you can still add the code and preload like everyone else only diff is would have download the extra 5+GB which for some people is a deal.