BTGames. Yes. Physical copies. EA can track how many physical copies they physically ship, but it works a bit different for digital sales. EA has to send out cd-keys in batches large enough to not only cover any possible pre-orders, but large enough to cover lifetime sales at that digital outlet. They likely don't find out how many copies were sold until end of the month when that digital outlet tells them 'hey, here's how many we sold this month and here's your cut of the money.'
It's very easy for us to sit back, blinded by our hatred for EA, and make assumptions about why the whole fiasco happened. It gets a bit harder when you have to sit back and rationally consider what exactly goes into pre-ordering and preparing an online-only title for release.
Should they have planned more appropriately? Maybe. Do they deserve the flak they are receiving? I doubt that. They've already increased their server capacity by 120% and as of yesterday the issues are largely sorted. That's pretty commendable, considering the game hasn't even been out a week.
