Is that true of say, province development in EU4? I think the AI can’t use expansion stuff in general, but I think there are some exceptions.
Anyway, put me in the group that loves expansions and fixes. Usually changes to the base game improve things, and I don’t believe for a second that the improvements down the line could as easily fit into the base game.
Another thing that Brad mentioned that I want to reiterate: inflation is a thing. The $50 per game in the 90’s is worth a heck of a lot more than $50 for a game today. It would be interesting to compare the cost of games versus the trends for programmer and artist compensation.