If you offer a penny for my thoughts
and
I throw in my two cents worth
Did I get stiffed?
lol
Hmmm,
For an app thats close to MoI as we currently know it, I'd have a limit somewhere between $200-$300.
Under $200 I'd buy for sure. Two to three hundred I'd weigh my decision. $300 up, I'd start seriously looking at doing without.
I'd emphasise, your accessability and manner of suport/development weighs considerably in my attitude. Without that, I'd be lowering my resistance point by $50-$75.
My approach is that of someone adding MoI to my suite of tools, and heavily influenced by the degree it enhances my workflow.
Others, intending to use MoI as a stand alone app would probably be less influenced by comparative pricing. I view MoI as a workflow addon.
I post purely as a response to your request, Michael.
Cheers

>> It actually doesn't really bother me. I just generally expect MoI to be used alongside many other applications frequently.

I'm glad more developers are taking this attitude. I don't think it'll be too many more years before monolithic packages like 3ds max and Maya are considered antiquated. Combine Silo and Moi with Messiah:Studio, Zbrush, and a standalone renderer like Maxwell and you're out the door for less than the cost of 3ds... and you don't have to pay for what you don't use.

>> But let me ask you - from your hobbyist point of view, what do you think is the breaking point where something becomes too expensive and out of reach?

A comma. ;)

$200 and I think everyone would buy it for an add on to their workflow, as long as .obj is added as an export option and performs well. That would allow universal use in any pipeline.