I would think if you did it in a reasonable period of time, day 30 days or so. But after a few months, or a year that wouldn't make much sense for eon, since people might be playing "sale" games trying to take advantage of them in that fashion.

And I do believe the retail price IS relevant. the bottom line to both the consumer and to Eon is how much you are paying for the product.

For instance, if you payed say, $100 for something and then paid $300 more to upgrade to a $900 application, people who purchased it at full price wouldn't be treated fairly.

Many customers (and I'm not pointing fingers at all) play sales tactic games all the time trying to save a few dollers, or scam a deal whenever they get the oppertunity.

I think in Eon's case, it's more them moving up to the prosumer users, and not wanting to deal with regualr consumers anymore, since they typically have far more service issues, and eon makes far less money on them. Other companies have done the same thing, and we're seeing a general shift "upward" in price on all 3d applications, and many companies find that while they sell bigger numbers with lower priced product, they also have a TON more support for that same reason.

Look just a few years back.. most 3d applications were $1000 or less. Today many have moved up MUCH higher in price.

BUT also look back about 10 years or so ago.. you couldn't touch professional 3d applications for less then $1500.. I remembe rlightwacve costing almost $2000 a t   one point.. yet the dollar;s value has also decreased over the years as well.

Basiacally, many pro companies tested the consumer waters, found they couldn't make enough to cover very high developement costs, and much higher support costs, so they are moving back up into the more profitable professional markets, little by little.

While this doesn't have much bearing on upgrade costs, it does possibly indicate a lessened desire to work with the lower end consumer markets.

Way too many people take way too many things way too seriously.