Novotny - interested to read the linked article. Has reassured me and am now considering purchasing the game through Steam.
As I really want the collector's edition (primarily for the printed manual) though, and it is apparently not going to be stocked by Amazon UK
I may end up ordering it through UBi and then also downloading from Steam on release day while i wait for the CE to arrive (someone posted that UBI won't release copies early to ARRIVE by 25th.)
Maybe OTT, and not ideal, but that seems to be what I am forced into doing to get a Collector's Edition AND be able to play the game on release day.
I was going to say that patience obviously isn't my strong point...but not really true seeing as I (and many others!) have been waiting for this game for years. Buggered if I'm going to hang around for another week after release day to get my hands on it!!! 
Also - please post the above link over on the main Steam discussion thread - may sway a few of the doubters there.