I'm sure there is a lot of stuff they are working on now that will be in a Day One Patch. Since the game is already boxed that patch is the only way to get the things they are working on now in the game. So you could say that the retail version (what's in the box) is incomplete, but the Day One Patch (that they are working on now) will fix that. Then they can take a much needed break, and come back to fix whatever problems/bugs come up after the initial install and patch.
At least I'm hoping that it works out that way. I agree that missing out on non-essential NPC's isn't fun, but I do imagine I'll be playing this game over and over again until DA:I comes out.
