How do they feel? How many of them take one look at the prices and say NOPE.
Players have been taking a look at the prices and say "NOPE" far before any early access bundle. That's kind of why Hawken is in the position it's in with a small development team taking care of the game.
Side note, the assumptions on the forums don't match the actual data from end users. The early access bundles have been doing better than the MC packages in terms of sales and we overall see more MC purchases than before because players actually have MC to spend on other items.
Let's put it this way: MC purchases on console are unpopular because you have to spend money on the PS4/XB1 Store, which then the currency obtained you can only spend on Hawken. Whereas a bundle you are guaranteed an item, currency, and know exactly what you are getting.
We don't expect the same data out of PC because PC players are more inclined to make an MC purchase than a console player. PC probably won't be seeing these types of bundles as a result as they aren't presented well to the end user. Our job as a developer would be to present the offers better. Which is shaped based on feedback, like this post.
It serves no purpose other than to extort money from impatient (loyal) players and that is why it is a bad monetization scheme.
Again, that is the root of the problem to force people into paying cash because they are impatient. Thank you for repeating what I had already said is a slimy tactic.
ex�tor�tion the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.
No one is forcing you to buy the bundle. Josh isn't going to your house with a gun forced to your head and asking you to play Hawken or buy the bundles, though that would make a fantastic image macro.
It also doesn't mean I'm the only one that feels that way too. I'm just the one willing to speak up about it.
Those who speak up about things typically do so because they aren't content with the actions of another person. Forum posters typically represent 5% of all active players (based on internal data circa 2013) but reflect on all of the players that read them. So the margin of complaints on the forums will clearly be higher, and the impact of those complaining about those issues will be higher. That doesn't instantly invalidate your opinion but it still makes it your opinion and clearly we take into consideration all data and not just one person's forum post.