This might be a slightly longer post trying to cover some of the question above. Lets see where we end when I am done.
Costs
If you look to keep costs low wait for the sales, we have content for a good deal almost every month. And if you want even lower prices wait for the sales that we have once or twice a year that give 50-75% discount on nearly everything...
IMO its not an argument saying that something is expensive and therefor it is bad, try that
a car dealer and see how it goes
. Joking aside, if we are talking value for money, you may have a point, R3E is not finished yet.
So lets say standard prices now should be 25% lower, since you can only hot lap. SP feature is done, would you or everyone else be ok with us then bumping the price 25% up? Then MP comes in and we bump it another 25%, since well you get more value for money now.
I have been in this community long enough to know the sh*t storm that would cause! So yeah, value for money you may have a point, but once SP and MP are ready its so worth the money..
I always go for the movie or coffee analogy, going to the movie is gonna cost you 15 bucks? 1,5 hour later you are done. For 2 buck you can get a coffee that will serve you well for 15 minutes. For 2,5 bucks you can have a virtual car that will last you almost forever.
F2P
We will stick to the current business model as it is at heart of the concept. We see R3E as a launch platform to many DLC, like DTM, ADAC or any other series we get, or you can get single content, or never buy anything and go for the competitions to get some good game time in. With some skill and luck you might win some good prices or free content..
We try to give the player the option to invest in what he or she enjoys, and leave what they don't care out of the picture. You are of course allowed to agree or not agree with this concept, all i can say until now it seems to be going very well.
Currently we are looking at improving the flexibility of the user getting content, package deals for cars/tracks, user created bundles with appropriate discount etc etc.
In my opinion the prices are right, especially considering that once SP and MP are out the "money vs fun" factor totally tilts to the gamers favour.
investment
A lot of people here tell me that they are still enjoying Race07 today, some dirty maths then tells me that that investment 6-7 years is stall lasting you today (0,01 cents a day) vs all the fun you had with that game, all i see is a cheap and great investment in fun!
Listening ears
I or anyone else i know from the team have never said that we would just do what ever you guys or anyone else elsewhere say, that would turn out to be the most complicated, diverse all over the place game ever..... We are keen listeners, and I take all positive or negative feedback with us to whatever we decide to do.
DTM-Experience
You have a point that its a bit stupid that the tracks from DTM-E can't be used in R3E, not our choice, its a contractual obligation. Blasting a DTM car over Bathurst, believe its great fun! But sadly atm not possible, we will have to live with that limitation.
Yup, turned out to be a long post...
Something I did learn over the past 11 years doing games, no matter if you go left, right or straight ahead, there will always be someone telling you are going the direction. There is no things as a perfect game.