They added multiplayer and digital trips at the last second. When they delayed it they said, "the game wasn't fun enough". So instead of focusing on the final build they spent their time adding new content.

Good question. The only thing I take away from it would be not to raise the system requirement line higher and alienate a portion of sales from the PC side. But then again, why not just put those as the definitive Ultra settings, right? Doesn't add up.