I love these updates, but must confess that it does feel weird not giving TFP any $ whatsoever throughout all these updates. Now, on one hand I get it because it is not Gold yet, and I do hope you come out with DLC expansions after you do go gold. I have been watching another crafting/survival game, Space Engineers, try out a method, which was awkward at first, but I think is working well for both them and their player base. When they come out with updates they are 2-fold, with free blocks and other features, and then an optional paid DLC with even more content, typically more on the cosmetic(optional) side. The only catch is that without the paid DLC you cannot create those blocks, but you can still see and interact with them. Not only do I think this is an interesting way to introduce DLC into a voxel world crafting game, the DLC is less than $5 (3.99)each time, so it's more than reasonable, and is allowing that studio to keep running(growing even) well post-gold.
And they name dropped like 8 community modders who they worked with on their latest DLC, lot of new stuff in vanilla game now that came straight from the mod community. I also think they do a great job at integrating Workshop mods into the vanilla game, it is rly easy to find and install mods through an in-game menu, no need for other software overlays or forcing the player to go messing around with game file folders. It works well, and I hope 7DTD has some kind of straight-forward in-game way to add/remove and turn mods on/off when workshop becomes a thing.
Anyway, just an example from another popular voxel game, though I did and still do roll my eyes just a bit when I think of SE as being "gold", it still needs a ton more actual game play mechanics. However the things they have done since, including yesterdays new content drop, has more than made up for it. The updates being partially free and part DLC works well, the cost is low and lets players support Keen, and it is great to see Keen further embrace their mod community as well. They've turned around nicely, and have a good setup to keep income rolling so they can keep going. Just sayin, if/when you do come out with DLC, I am eager to support you that way.
My income fluctuates wildly, but I do like to support games I enjoy when I haz the $. I have every single DLC for Space Engineers, and... I almost don't want to think about, or admit, how much I have spent on Rainbow 6 Seige(only FPS I play anymore, love it)... between me and my 14 yr old son... over the years... hundreds, plural... So do something, please, it feels weeeeeird.