I remember watching the first trailers for this game over a decade ago. At one point it was supposed to have Mick Gordon working on the soundtrack, I'm guessing that's not the case now.
I'd still love to see this game get released, but until it does I'm assuming this one is vaporware.
The last time I played, they had changed this: when you explore new areas, enemies from those areas will start spawning in old locations. I'd still like to see a randomizer option sometime in the future, but I like the new changes.
I agree with this point, and it's also why I think the class action suit makes sense. Some of the people who bought The Crew got a physical copy, which is now just a useless disc. It's still just a license like you said, and I agree that it feels like they're selling the game.
It's like if the movie theater sold a DVD for a movie, but the disc will only work while you're in the theatre. Pirating might still be a crime legally but I don't think anyone should feel bad about doing it here, Ubisoft absolutely does not deserve your money over slimy business practices like this.
I really wish Abiotic Factor at least got a nomination, it was easily my favorite game this year.