The opening comment is pretty inflammatory, I question the motives behind singling 3DS max out as an example of defective software. ALL packages have their problems, to argue otherwise would simply demonstrate a lack of experience.

some other points of contention: Game companies ARE in fact in the business of buying and selling engines. I worked at a company which derived significant income from the licensing of its engine.

On the subject of software costs: $200,000 a year for a giant like activision is peanuts. The costs of yearly Max upgrades for my studio is far less than what we spend on staff lunches and dinners.

Software development: $100,000 a year will get you maybe 2 programmers (if we don't include overheads). Discreet has over a dozen programmers working on Max as we speak. In which bizarre alternate dimension could you get 2 mediocre (if they're only getting 50k ) programmers to out-perform the work of 12? The argument presented shows a total lack of understanding of software development costs.

Blender is great for what it is, power to the people and all that, but to suggest it as a threat to the pro packages is a bizarre contention.

It's been a slow day......
MS