Try finding an example of a video game sold in the last 10 years that was not updated after going Gold.
Or for that matter, one that wasn't patched more than once within 3 months after hitting the shelves. Sony, EA, Ubisoft, Firaxis, etc...not one has released a computer game that didn't need to be patched at least once after it hit the retail market, sometimes an "update" is pushed before the first copy is sold. Almost all game developers stop supporting a game as soon as a sequel is released. And yet people are willing to drop $50 a crack on games as soon as they hit the shelves without even knowing how they will work on the computer they were playing the old games on.
See Rule #4
I wouldn't complain about how HTC is handling the improvements to a game that has been around for as many years as AH has been around. You should figure on upgrading your computer at least every 3 yrs...or sooner.