Just want to verify that I have to pay an extra $40 just to play the imperial race? I wont be able to play as an imperial with the standard edition? If that's so, I won't be buying this game after all, as I try my best to avoid supporting such obvious day 1 DLC rip offs.

you have to pay extra for the full game, yes. : <

Please use the existing topic here: http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1486234-imperial-edition-announcement-pre-order-bonuses-merged-2/