I was just looking through games at Amazon.co.uk and I noticed they have Empire at War listed.
Link (
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007A5FZS/)
The release date they have is September 30th. Of course I wouldn't consider them to be the most reliable source but its a start.
As always, my comment is: Take your time. If I have to wait until 2006, fine. That means the developers are taking their time making the game.
Mid November, I bet. Right about time christmas stuff starts showing up on shelves.