It was not known before launch. More specifically, it was not known before launch AND while preorders were being made. The game released on July 25th. This is what the Steam page looked like on July 25th a few hours before release:
Source:
Code:
https://web.archive.org/web/20240725083601/https://store.steampowered.com/app/2291060/EARTH_DEFENSE_FORCE_6/
This is what the Steam page looked like on July 25th just 30 minutes after release:
Source:
Code:
https://web.archive.org/web/20240725113756/https://store.steampowered.com/app/2291060/EARTH_DEFENSE_FORCE_6/
If they didn't allow preorders I wouldn't say it is a big deal. But if you're going to allow preorders, then you need to be keeping people informed of what they're preordering. That was a scummy tactic.