What is the purpose of pre-order copies?

What is the state of pre-order copies? I bought one from target Monday, and I have not been able to play the game. What exactly does it do as far as the game goes?

Does it just install the code on my PC until I purchase the full version?

Just answer the question, don't flame, please.

Since the game has already been released the pre-order copies doesn't have much of a benefit. The code you get in them will grant you a pre-order item but you need to buy the fullversion to be able to play now.

that explains a lot. Then Target should remove it from thier shelves. I didn't know the game was out already, so i bought it. It was .99, with my emplyee disount it came to about .94 cents.....but still. They should not have for sell.

:| 1 dollar... for what? a mini book and some other crap~ and u cant even play the game lol...

go out and buy urself the real game since the beta events have already ended therefore the preorder packages do nothing~