I can see a few scenarios:

1. I've heard the speculation (Pyrex for one) they're thinking of selling out to some other company. By bolstering their short-term sales this will help them get a better price for CCP. I'm iffy on this theory myself, but it is a possibility.

This is just CEOPyrex talking out of his ass and being a typical troll. Don't take this scenario seriously. If World of Darkness is any indication, the IP to Dust 514 won't be sold off and would likely be shelved for a long time if CCP decides that Dust isn't worth it anymore. But considering that CCP Rattati has brought life back into the game, shelving the game is also highly unlikely.

2. CCP Hilmar/the investors aren't convinced Legion is worth doing and are leaning no. This is a push to prove to him/them that there is profit to be had in this market. Good numbers now might equal the green light for Legion.

I might bet on this. If this is true, then it seems CEO Hilmar and the investors would be impressed by what CCP Rattati has done for Dust so far.

3. They're experimenting in how to monetize Legion.

This is very likely. CCP Z is the monetization director and might be using Dust as a model of how to balance Legion's microtransactions.

4. They're short on cash, budget has been slashed and this is how they're bootstrapping development.

If they are, not anymore. Especially now that AUR respecs are in the game and triple stacking boosters with EOM instant-boosting is all the rage.

Here are the current financials with some theory.

http://themittani.com/news/ccp-reveals-mediocre-2014-financials-layoffs

Uh... all companies go crazy at the end of the year to spike profits.

And DUST always been p2w. Its a pay to win game with the play for free as an option.

The goal and concept of DUST is to make ISK.
Now, tell me again how this isn't a pay-to-win game?
You buy SP, you buy ISK free items, you buy Jara that nets you more ISK.

Winning matches 100% doesn't matter in this game. Even in FW, winning doesn't matter. ISK only matters, the whole purpose, like EvE, is wider your profit margin.
PC and pubs don't matter, because districts net zero ISK now, so playing PC doesn't matter, and pubs pay you no matter how had you do.

Change you old definition of what winning means. Because in DUST514, winning means profit.

Pay... to... win.

Again, your old definition of winning. You're a mercenary. What does a mercenary do?? Make money.

The endgame broke when ISK generation was stopped.

And truth is, 9/10, the team that spends the most ISK wins the match(assuming they are putting forth an effort to win, not just be non participants). Even FW rewards you for losing. And it still takes ISK to play it.

Change your thinking man. All EvE centers around generating ISK. DUST is and always will be pay to win.

This again and again.

It is about time CCP did something to really temp players to buy AUR. I would say Dust has been a baptism by fire in developing an FPS but also in designing a successful FTP model that really pulls in some money. Both of which have been sorely lacking until recently.

nothing game braking ???? have u seen the new bp drop suits 4 58k aur the scout suit stats is like a proto suit who after buying it will ever spend??

my op is there milking the 1k core players who have $$$$ to burn and then they start losing players do to cash players runing the battle with there bp stuff

It is the fact that in the last few weeks, there has been a sharp increase of things being sold. The Quafe suits, the return of the Mercenary Packs (that were removed for "health of the game"), market agent, APEX Suits, triple boosters, and respec. We did ask for BPO's and Respec but it is the opening of the floodgate that I think is what people should be surprised at.

Really, 1.9 might as well have been called "Ways to spend money." None of it is entirely terrible but the prices are nuts. 30 some odd for the APEX, Quafe suits more than 10 bucks, and it is just a pallet swap. Let's take a look at some differently priced skins in League of Legends:

Astronaut Teemo. Completely new visuals on spells, new drawn skin, and voice change. 10 bucks.

Uncle Ryze. One added joke, added materials like hat, color swap with every else. 4 dollars.

Brolaf. 100% new visuals and voice over work. 14 dollars.

The Quafe Suits could have been made in no time at all. It is a color swap mostly. None of the suits look vastly different in regards to shape, sound, or feel. The added benefit of "well, you don't have to spend ISK on a suit" is there but eventually they are going to just be skins and at those prices for such a small effect, it seems really quite lame.