I preorder my copy of FF13 from Amazon on the first, which puts it 8 days before release. That's the same difference as your GOW3 order. When I had to pick shipping, I got a big red message when FSSS was chosen saying "Sorry, you won't get it on release day if you pick this option." I can only assume you would've gotten the same message. So... why did you expect it on release day? I mean, they told you it wouldn't happen. I would suspect it'll do excactly what they told you... ship on the 22nd (or sooner) and arrive a few days later.
This was a BIG release, probably one of, if not the biggest release this year. It's simply going to take Amazon a LOT of time to go through all those orders, bill them correctly, get them packed and loaded up to go. if you weren't willing to be paitent, you should've paid extra for release day delivery.
If you want to know more, contact them. Otherwise, just wait... I imagine by the time you read this, it'll have shipped. Play something else for awhile.
[quote name='nnthomas']Is it common to be given a USPS # that doesnt show up for tracking when checked? I ordered Resonance of Fate with free ship... and despite it saying it was shipped, given a tracking #, and not due until the 26th (!?) it doesnt show up on the USPS site as being listed.[/QUOTE]
If it's shipped within the last 48 hours or so- then yes, very. DC tracking only works if the guy at the wherehouse scans the box, and the USPS site only updates once a day. I've had many an item ship where I don't see actual tracking info for a day or two... I've had items arrive without it showing at all. I wouldn't worry about it too much.