Sounds like Don got back from Los Angeles to find some angry senior staff :)
Good on them for handling it the way they have here. Although I do have my suspicions that one day in the next 5-8 years they'll push out another mandatory update that essentially reverses this reversal and we are just delaying the inevitable. You could just not install this update but then you probably wouldn't be able to play The Crew ever again.
PS4 looks like the better console so far but now Xbox is starting to look like a better 'package'. (Keep in mind it's only $50 more expensive here). The big question will be whether or not Microsoft support the X360-compatible steering wheels. I can easily go without FM5, their demo looks boring (just more of the same FM4 stuff with improved visuals), will see if there's a sequel to FH.