The previous versions given away free were also in magazines that reviewed the newest versions of Carrara. The free versions also usually incuded some discount code for the newest version. Definite marketing strategy.

I don't recall seeing Carrara 8.5 reviewed anywhere and definitely no 8.1 given away free. I could be wrong, but there was an almost deafening silence outside of the DAZ forums regarding the release of 8.5. There may have been a whimper in a few other forums, but not much.

The question I'd ask is why DAZ, who is all about making more money, didn't widely advertise the newest version of Carrara this time?