Thinking faction update might be in the works, although I get the feeling a possible patch for universe generation (so it isn't so "clean cut") to give a more realistic universe might happen. There's also things like shipyards, which are a necessity in creating something that resembles a balanced economy (no more blocks poofing in out of thin air) which would be nice (as well as good for them RP folks.)
Of course schema might have some genius revelation that suddenly causes performance improving code-rainbows and might take a couple weeks off to implement that, in the end its whatever the cat fancies.