Agreed, mostly.
Though I must add, that a lot of game developers give their customers free gifts with some new content. So although I think it would acceptable if they'd charge for all new content, it's also sometimes just good for sales to give your loyal customers a present. Word of mouth marketing and all that...
I play the IL2 series a lot too, and there's been a lot of free patches with new content (aswell as fixes). But the really nice and big upgrades have always cost money. But you'll be much more happy to spend it on them as you're really content with them for giving you those presents along the way.
Personally I would buy any upgrade if they would charge, but keep in mind that a lot of people have different thoughts and you want them as a customer too. Charging for everything would - in my opinion - be less effective for sales then giving some out for free, and some for money. But hey, I don't have hard evidence so that's just my hunch.
As to your download-isn't-free remark. Absolutely silly when people claim such a thing. If they think someone from VSTEP will come to their house and deliver the free gift on a gold plated CD-ROM, they must be shot. That gene pool must dry up...
Fred
