There are obviously going to be differing opinions on the value of the new version as well as some dissatisfied with the shortcomings of the current version that make them feel "why bother?"
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and entitled to express those opinions as well. It just makes good business sense to hear all sides and I think Markus and company would agree that negative opinions are a necessary part of a successful business.
That said, I too feel that the current version could use another patch just to shore up the game as a whole. While it may not happen, it wouldn't be beyond reason for it to happen. At the moment, a lot has transpired with regard to OOTPD and the split with Sports Interactive, forcing a reorganization of the operations as a whole. If the split hadn't occurred, we most likely would have seen another patch or two as well as an earlier scheduled release of the next version. But the separation made it necessary for OOTPD to convert OOTP 2007 into OOTP 8, in order to preserve the rights to future sales. While some fixes were implemented, the priority at the time was to get SI out of the picture as soon as possible. As you probably know by now, this ate up a lot of valuable time.
While some may skip the next version out of spite from a current version lacking or for reasons connected to price or even thoughts that the new version will not have enough upgrades or new features, or for any other reason, OOTPD will have to deal with it. But all-in-all, I don't think we're going to find another programmer who is as good as Markus is or who is as dedicated to OOTP as he is...not to mention a programmer who listens to the community like he most certainly does.
Bottom line?
The year is currently 2008 so $25 for ANY game is cheap. No one will be twisting your arm to buy it. You also have the right, and I encourage you, to continue to post bugs/complaints about the current version in hopes that a nice "clean-up" patch might be considered. If that ever happens will be Markus' decision.
