Patches like this one wont become paid, at most they'd stop and doubled up to make justifiable DLC, but an Xmas/Winter themed DLC is probably the easiest they could have done, because its the most distinct setting they didnt have in the base game, a snow map, winter themed buildings, props, rides, shops etc.
If they do DLC, it'll be based on themes like winter, safari, water park etc or collections like new coaster packs, flat rides etc. I've brought it up before, but over 2 years back they registered 3 names, Safari Park Tycoon and Water Park Tycoon along with Coaster Park Tycoon. That obviously became Planet Coaster, and it seems likely that Frontier had visions of something wider than just coasters. What we dont know is whether this is just IP protection so someone cant simply create a junk game and call it Water Park Tycoon when they've released Coaster Park Tycoon - no intent to do that as a DLC/Game, just stopping others using them. Also, if they want to do it, we dont know if its a full game or DLC. We know very little, but its a hint at best.
If they do DLC, it'll be based on themes like winter, safari, water park etc or collections like new coaster packs, flat rides etc. I've brought it up before, but over 2 years back they registered 3 names, Safari Park Tycoon and Water Park Tycoon along with Coaster Park Tycoon. That obviously became Planet Coaster, and it seems likely that Frontier had visions of something wider than just coasters. What we dont know is whether this is just IP protection so someone cant simply create a junk game and call it Water Park Tycoon when they've released Coaster Park Tycoon - no intent to do that as a DLC/Game, just stopping others using them. Also, if they want to do it, we dont know if its a full game or DLC. We know very little, but its a hint at best.