Apart from Ras, Ado, Anj, Tandy, and me, who else is at least moderately active? I have not really talked with anyone else from CM...   Is the previous site still being used?? 

Quoting DP on the issue of getting engines:   >> Yes, you can use any engine you like, the only rule is that we need to be able to pay for the rights to use it if you win, and that cost must be under $1M.  To get the engine, contact the engine provider, tell them that you are planning to enter the Top Secret competition (where ...

http://www.quazal.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=30&page=1   anyone know anything about this? licensing fees? feasibility?  

The list of suitable entrants includes mod teams and students. Essentially, anyone who can come up with the video and initial prototype is good to go. 

 I'm willing to use nearly all the free time I've got between college and chores to work on this, how about the rest of you?   *nods * And this would finally give me an incentive to start learning Maya, C#, XNA, and Flash :)

 Last I heard ado was: a) lazy b) eating c) not doing much in general   Am I wrong, sensei?  

Plus we are fully familiar with just about all of the material. And (in case we do decide to go for it), we can implement the current 2D concept art - as well as new and refined versions - into a flash movie to use for a trailer. The 2d sketches could be animated and made into a scroller-game-like demonstration (though with plenty of razzle ...

 http://www.videogameteam.com/modcenter/rules.html   Here is an alternative. ;) 

 First, thanks for the modelling software info! :)   As for the game idea, that does sound interesting. :) But we are the only two talking here right now. Essay-writer and papa smurf have yet to surface.