Alex, can you hire DR for a short while to beautify your game with shaders? The tech demonstration videos I've seen so far show how the bar for the visual quality of the game and game immersion can be increased dramatically with a handful of simple shaders. These special effects would certainly be enticing for new players that expect fairly modern shaders in almost all contemporary games.
The downside of increased hardware requirements is something to be considered, but the extra effects can be tick box options in the launcher so that those who don't have the hardware (rare) can still play it without the dynamic lighting and other special effects the increase player engagement.
Besides I think you could ask for $25-$30 RRP for the final release if the game used modern shaders effectively...
