FC has done more work to one game then anyother company has ever, AO started out as a lagged down bugged game.
I waited before I started to play, once the smaller bugs were worked out, and they were. As of today I find no major crashing bugs, other then the one or two that is caused by my own computer hardware not the game *ahem*, I for one know that it has been a long time since their was a patch, but if we look at what FC is talking about.
FC is planning on hitting out to major patches, and have alone within the last few weeks have done to major server side patches, out of nowere in game events game back so fast that my head is spinning, stuff is happing this game still got more of a kick then we thought.
FC is giving us land control, which is what many people have wanted for AO wonderful Guild, and Clan abilites.
Even through we may have to pay for this "booster pack" if you think about, we will mostly likely me able to buy it in a store, and will be able to download * I hope*, and yes it will cost money.
Why can I say that its alright to let loose this "booster pack"?
Well its simiple fact, that the $12.95 we pay each month covers very little, server charger/matince *don't forget AO servers can hold more people then anyother servers. It dosn't cover the cost of the booster pack.
Lets look at what might somthing as a boost pack might cost,
1. You will need a graphic artist to do new artwork.
2. You will need a sound engier to record new sounds.
3. You will need someone to code this stuff into the old engine.
4. You will need someone to do netcoding.
5. You will need aplha and beta testing.
6. You will need people from markting to get this idea out.
7. In the end if this is to be download, another download server will have to be put up, in turn more server costs.
8. In the end their are a few more people that will be needed to create this booster pack.
A patch in simple a change of code, a change of loot tables, a change of skills, all code, maybe some netcode, and many once in a rare while new items/buildings etc...
A booster pack is just a bit over the hill to be provide for free.
And to me this is fair, and I can live with it. Its not one person doing this there is a lot of people putting this show on.
AO is a wonderful game, and is only getting better look at what a year and half has brought us!
When shadow lands come out, yes it won't come out until next year. Its FC maybe is trying its best to fix everything, trying their best to make our eyes glow with joy. Or maybe really bring more money in with a well finished product!
I love this game and I love FC!
Don't have the patience to wait till it arrives to a store and (in my case it will not end up in a local shop, so I've to order it from the Internet) then wait a couple of days until I've got it... 
look at that
