I agree. Airbus is just using its resources to beat out Boeing. I'm sure the A380's purpose was to do something that Boeing hadn't done and to compete with the 747 (though isn't the A340 good enough?), I'll bet Airbus didn't see the 747-8i comin  ;). The -8 is way more economical that the A380, and, like you said, it's not necessary to carry as many passengers as the A380 does. Plus, even if the 747-8 does far worse than projected, Boeing has partners like Lufthansa who will probably order enough for Boeing to break even.