The main ad on steam for MW2 says that the game is coming the 12th of November. But, if you go to the games main page, it says it will unlock the 13th.  
 
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but the PC version still launches on the 10th.
 
Does anyone know why the game is 2-3 days late on steam?

Life sucks.

I was thinking about this to, hopefully we wont have to wait to long.
 
But where does it say the 13th?

If you go to the main steam page for the game, it says "This game will unlock on November 13, 2009" 
 
=|

The devs are still working on the PC port according to their last Q&A.
 
Probably adding some new features like 'text chat' via patch.

I noticed that a few days back, stopped buying games from Steam though. With the extra VAT here for the UK it's not exactly cheaper to buy games off Steam and the special deals everyone wets themselves for are usually bull. 
 
Spoke with a chap in a local game store and the PC version is released Tuesday, no delay at all. 

Activision never does day-and-date Steam releases. I think Wolfenstein took a month or something before you could get it digitally. Pretty lame, considering MW2 actually has Steam stuff built into it. If you want it on the 10th, you'll have to march out to a store and buy one.

" @TrueEnglishGent: You know, the retail version uses steam for activation, patching, anticheat and other stuff. So even if you get it at retail, you will have to wait until steam unlocks it. "

 If you attempt to activate the game before the retail release date, you will receive the message "Invalid CD Key". You will be able to activate your CD Key on the retail release date, currently set for November 10th.

" @Forcen: That is not true. It seems they are just delaying the digital versions (which was mentioned earlier, Activision always delays digital versions that are on Steam) but the retail versions will be released on the release date.
 
From the Modern Warfare 2 Steam Support page:

 If you attempt to activate the game before the retail release date, you will receive the message "Invalid CD Key". You will be able to activate your CD Key on the retail release date, currently set for November 10th.

"

Wait, is the game going to require steam regardless of retail or digital? Could've sworn they said you can ''sync'' them but not necessarily require it to function.

" Wait, is the game going to require steam regardless of retail or digital? Could've sworn they said you can ''sync'' them but not necessarily require it to function. "

I have nothing against Steam either,(in fact I own Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2 and others on it) but isn't this the first game not made by Valve to absolutely demand it's use?

So we can buy it and play it on the 10th if we buy it retail, but will it be added to our steam account? Like, If I got a new pc and tried to install it, would I be able to install it without the disk thru steam?

Retail copies are intended to be activate-able sometime on the 10th.
 
I can't make any comments past that.

" So we can buy it and play it on the 10th if we buy it retail, but will it be added to our steam account? Like, If I got a new pc and tried to install it, would I be able to install it without the disk thru steam? "

I was actually originally planning on getting the PC version, but at this current moment, the 360 version is looking to be a lot more straightforward.

" I was actually originally planning on getting the PC version, but at this current moment, the 360 version is looking to be a lot more straightforward. "

Now I'm considering preordering from amazon with same day shipping instead of on steam, since It will still be on my steam profile.

this isn't good. the PC version isn't exactly sounding that great right now 

Only PC steam version will be late.

Alright, preordered on amazon with release date shipping 
 
ARRRRGHHH IM SO EXCITED

They're likely doing that to get some retailers a bit of dough for the PC version. Day one sales will still be strong despite all the hoopla. If you get the PC version on DVD, it will activate on Steam on the 10th and will be treated just like any other Steam game, meaning it will show up in your Games list and can be downloaded with your account.

" @jaklap: Exactly. This is speculation but I think they are delaying the digital version so that the Steam servers don't get completely pummeled by thousands of players trying to to activate their retail copy and download their digital versions at the same time. In fact, I'm sure that if you bought MW2 at retail on it's release date, you could simply enter the CD Key into Steam and download it from there without having to put the DVD in the drive and install it. "

" @noobeffect: You mean, like that button that says "Activate this product on steam"? "

Seems people are already playing MW2 on Steam right now.
 
 http://store.steampowered.com/stats/

 http://store.steampowered.com/app/10180/
 
 This game will unlock in approximately 2 days and 7 hours

Anyone know if I buy a PC retail copy in stores tomorrow, will I still be able to get Steam Achievements and also will my Steam Friends be able to see what I'm playing?
 
Basically, will it function EXACTLY the same as if I bought it off of Steam?

"  http://store.steampowered.com/app/10180/   This game will unlock in approximately 2 days and 7 hours "

" Anyone know if I buy a PC retail copy in stores tomorrow, will I still be able to get Steam Achievements and also will my Steam Friends be able to see what I'm playing? Basically, will it function EXACTLY the same as if I bought it off of Steam? "

I wish you could add the retail version to your Steam games list like Warhammer 2. :(

" Anyone know if I buy a PC retail copy in stores tomorrow, will I still be able to get Steam Achievements and also will my Steam Friends be able to see what I'm playing? Basically, will it function EXACTLY the same as if I bought it off of Steam? "

Awesome!  Thanks all!
 
I may just go to Best Buy tonight at midnight and pick it up.
 
I just hope I'm not making a mistake about getting the PC version instead of the XBOX 360 version, but I have about 10 Steam Friends begging me to :p

Robert Bowling said this on twitter
 
" if you bought a retail copy on PC, you can play it on 11.10.09"
 
He was replying to someone that asked this same question.