I think they’ve checked their analytics? Spending stats since phase 1 was released. I’ve seen the stats on some youtubers videos for amount of people now fulfilling phase 1 requirements.
So they’ve obviously thought “ wow X amount have got these done since we told the player base “ we better up the rest of the phases requirements and make a bit more money while at it.
If people would of hoarded more rather than splurge there cash instantly we might of seen different phase reqs.