Future Shop (again, here in Canada) listed the release as having occurred Feb. 7th. No copies were in stores today, nor did the staff have any information about when it would arrive. Bestbuy doesn't even list the game on their website. Hopefully EBGames will get it in this week.
Here in Ottawa, our EBGames is (as of today) listing the release date as the 23rd. Don't know if they have copies in the storeroom though.
Here in Canada, EB is also listing it as available only on the 22nd.
Tactical ala Stars! is what I'd like to see (similar to what was suggested above by Doom Kracken). I understand all of Stardock's arguements, but choosing strategies of attack/defence would go a long way toward immersiveness AND avoid the pitfalls of a full tactical engine, which have been pretty boring in most other 4X games..
Stardock Forums