[dogscoff]

Yes there is. Posts always drop around this time, as ppl are busy with shopping/ visiting/ watching LOTR at the cinema.

A new patch is in the works and is due this or next month. MM is also said to be working on some Space Empires 3D combat thingummy which everyone thinks might turn into the combat engine for SE5.

So no, I don't think it's dead=-)

Even if MM and Shrapnel disappeared tomorrow, there would be planty of ppl playing and modding what we have now for a long time to come.