The Malfador website mentions new screens shots but if I check out the gallery the latest I can see are from 2005.
As has been mentioned before, the date is wrong. The latest batch is in fact new.
Gal Civ 2 already became that popular 4X game but how many SE:IV diehards see it as a similar game?
I think few see it as a similar game, but rather as a better game on most accounts.

It may not be dumbed down enough for mass-market appeal though. GalCiv managed that part fine.