I'm with you guys when it comes to gameplay altering stuff, but cosmetics? Nah, you lost me. Crunch ain't free, they gotta pay for this game somehow. They probably don't have enough content to go the direct purchase route.
There also seems to be some conflicting info in this thread. Is there or isn't there dupes? Some saying there are and some saying no.
Come on dude, what is up with these types of posts. You really think the bulk of those multi million pound profits are going to end up going to the developers and not just predominantly lining the pockets of the higher ups?
EA bought Respawn for $455m just two years ago, including $151m in cash up front. Apex Legends also made $90m in its very first month (the game has been out 6 months). Think about how much revenue that is and what sort of development time the potential profit from that one month alone could allow. I'm pretty confident Respawn is doing just fine, and that they've made more than enough money to do everything you've mentioned and then some.
I doubt this is pricing designed to ensure Respawn's survival or upkeep, rather pricing intended to maximise profits, unfortunately at the expense of their player bases goodwill and value proposition. The irony is that I really do think they'd make a similar amount, if not more money with fairer policies and prices. Wish they'd at least give it a try to find out for themselves.