I'm not sure if this is true or not, but I remember a guru maybe(?) saying that they're leaving sort of "hooks" in the code for modders to pick up on and make it easier to create more content and add features so they can focus on what they think needs to be done. That might be why the mods are doing so well, they made it easier to modify the game. If this is true then I'd be super disappointed, but also kinda glad they did it. Disappointed because they're not just adding it to the game themselves and relying on the community to do it instead, but glad because they're at least acknowledging the issue and letting the community help. Again, my memory might be completely wrong about this so don't take my word as fact.
Gonna have to agree with you about the base game lacking. It reminds me of what LGR said about how all the packs do is introduce new ways to do things we could already do, while not actually adding new gameplay mechanics themselves. This kinda weakens it by oversimplifying the game.
