Nobody is forcing anybody to buy any promos. If you don't want to pay such a high price, then simply don't. I won't be, because like lettucemode, I don't play any of those games besides Mage Wars.
Unless I am mistaken, all promos will be released in future sets. So everybody will be able to get these cards in the future in normal sets. People just buy the promos in order to have them early.
Secondly, most play groups have house rules that do not allow the use of promos because they give advantages to people who buy them and nobody else. Tournaments also have a no promo rule.
In conclusion, if you feel like promos are overpriced and not worth it, simply do not buy them and wait for them to be released in the sets. This game is not a CCG and never will be. AW knows that part of the appeal of this game is the fact that it is NOT collectible and I highly highly doubt they will ever change that.