The player base is not being "screwed" out of anything. They have offered a new tank package for sale. They are allowing you to earn progressively higher discounts just for playing the game over the next two weeks. The goal of the marketing is to:
1) Get people who would normally not have spent money to actually buy this thing because they see it as "discounted." Sort of like how every weekend is a big mattress sale at the mattress warehouse. They can afford to do that because they price it higher, then discount it to where they can still make a good profit, but get everyone to buy them because they say the words "SALE" or "CLEARANCE" or "WEEKEND SPECIAL."
or
2) Get people who wanted it for free so frustrated that they give up and spend money to get it anyway figuring better to buy it now on discount than wait until later and end up paying "full price" (whatever that price may be).
I haven't seen enough of the tank to know if it is that good. I do like the new loading system and the good power-weight ratio it has, but it will also be stuck in Tier X matches most of the time. I'm just going to play and collect discounts until the event ends, and if I decide that the price is low enough at that time I'll buy it. If not, I'll just grind the line out and get almost the same tank for free after a short while playing. The tank itself isn't really a game changer, you can get a comparable vehicle at Tier 8 in the tech tree. Although I don't care for the huge turret profile the Tier X tank has. Way too big of a target for poking over ridge lines.
If I get it, I get it, if not I'll settle for the tech tree for free. I figure most Tier VIII mediums go for between $30 and $40, so if I can get the discount below that I'll probably bite. No big deal.
There are advantages/disadvantages to each Tier VIII Italian tank - here they are compared with Vstab, Optics, Rammer and full crew skills.
https://tanks.gg/v10...k=0.1.2.3.4.8.9
Progetto
Better reload between shells when dumping the full mag.
Better accuracy and dispersion.
Better terrain resistance.
Better view range.
-5% chance to catch fire.
extra degree of gun depression.
Pantera
Better shell velocity.
More ammo capacity.
Better power/weight ratio.
Better traverse.
Better armor.
The Progetto's advantages probably better fit my style of sniping early in the match and then zipping around and dumping rounds at close range once the enemy team is banged up, but I'm sure the Pantera will do the job adequately. On paper, I like the Progetto more. Do I like it $30-50 more? No. But if I can get the cost below $30......eh, maybe.