Will you include auto-download of maps from web servers? Many mappers prefer to design maps with existing materials on the sole basis that players do not join servers of maps they do not have, or that download at a 'trickle' speed from the gameserver (which usually takes 20+ minutes).

Yes, we plan on having auto-download of both skins and maps supported. We also plan on having an easy to setup redirect feature that will allow people to host their maps and skins on servers other than the game server itself for faster downloads. Speaking as someone that made a lot of skins and collaborated on a lot of maps for the original Starsiege, I believe supporting these options is critical to ensure the longevity of our game and continued player growth and involvement.

Got Chainguns? Check

Will this game be completely free on the full version? Are you planning to sell this game on a shelf?

I can‘t answer this question. This falls under VU Games purview and ultimately will be their decision as the game will (still) be turned over to them at the end of the development cycle. One thing I can say is we still won’t be getting paid for it, that hasn’t changed.

Can you explain the relationship between VUG and SS2845 on a business level. SS2845 is an official mod, how does it work and how did this effect your decision to move from T:V to TSE?

Moving to Torque means we are no longer a MOD. It is a full fledged stand alone game. As far as the “business level” relationship…VU wisely realizes that being hard core fans first and developers second, we pretty much know what we are doing in regards to having respect for the IP and they have taken a very low key, hands off approach in regards to dealing with us. Something I might add that we appreciate greatly. In short, they “let us do our thing”.

As far as moving to TSE, we had some serious issues with the final release of T:V that for all intents and purposes were game killers for our envisioned game type and its particular needs. Primarily the networking code and terrain handling more than anything else.

After I brought these issues to VU’s attention and offered that TSE was the most likely solution they decided that it was in everyone’s best interests across the board to allow us to make the move.