Diplomacy is the last "add-ons"... about keeping people interested in sins, the mods are here for this...

I'm guessing that Ironclad and Stardock haven't decided what to do next and that they're still mulling over what direction to move in, watching the Diplomacy and Trinity sales.  It's also possible that something else unrelated to the games themselves but perhaps to a business relationship is going on behind the scenes; as an outsider you never know.

I wouldn't be surprised if they do begin work on an improved Sins-2 just because Stardock seemed to have success with Galactic Civilizations II.  I think that releasing an improved sequel has many advantages over releasing new expansions to serve a dwindling player base.  A brand new title will bring in full-price sales from fans of the original game and also attract brand new people to the franchise.

About models, i am not again some change... by example, in place of a .mesh with everything, a .obj for the model, a .mtl for the texture and a .dat for the hardpoint ( or other information for the game engine )... it will allow different texture for identical ship or different hardpoint ( weapons ) configuration... this will allow to spare more memory...

Anyway, Diplomacy is hitting the limit for some computer configuration... time to create a new engine ( multicore, 64 bits, etc )... will not be a easy work and will ask a lot of time...

If possible, i wish a "LoadOnDemand" for all files... now, if you made a mod with hundred races, and use 10 of them ( the max ), the game will load everything for the 100 races...a "LoadOnDemand" will allow to load only the races used... again a little thing who will ask a lot of work on the engine...

For serious modding... AI rules in some xml files or other format who can be edited...

In fact, Stardock/Ironclad already know what we wish if they read these forum... we ask a lot and they cannot make the dream of everyone true... but until now, i am happy that they try...