You talk about it like you know, but what you said is incorrect. They actually did want to release the figures with the launch, but had technical issues figuring out how to get the figures to light up nice and bright (the base doesn't actually output that much power). Of course, the tech has been around forever, but the challenge wasn't inventing technology, it was in getting the existing lowish output base to light up a bright lightsaber adequately. In that regard, they thought of the Light FX idea too late to give themselves time to figure out the hurdles and get the products into the launch.
Now, they face a similar challenge, as they have been asked about other figures (e.g. Ahsoka, Darth Maul). They said they are seeing if it's possible to squeeze out enough power into the double light sabers. It may never happen, with the power the base outputs now. Maybe a future base, but they have no plans to release a new base with different power. As a marketing plan, this doesn't seem to make sense. Purposely further holding off Ahsoka and Maul for much later seems like a bad decision, since the play sets have been around since launch too.
I think you've misinterpreted this as "manipulative marketing," when it really was a case of them having to work past some hurdles.
Alternatively, I've been so manipulated that I believe most of what John V. says, even though I do work in the industry and have spouted marketing myself.
