It's not dead. Data is promising a release in early December.
http://forums.datarealms.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=19867
I still think that Data doesn't care for the game anymore.
you an expect to see a first revision of the metagame, but probably without much of an AI
so it should be somewhat playable against other people on the same machine
hotseat
also, a reworked scenario/skirmish mode
the metagame mode is called 'campaign' and the scenarios are called 'skirmish'
That much progress made in two years(that's how long it will have been in December, I think)? What I get from this is: A campaign (he played with the map editor, maybe a little extra programing) and Impromptu mulitplayer... Oh, boy!
I'm not a game programmer by any means so maybe I don't have room to talk, but I'm comparing his progress to Toady's (who isn't even obligated by people buying his game) and it's not looking good.
Or perhaps I'm just feeling butt-hurt about him not informing the community as much as I think he should about the progress he has made.
Yes, I understand that and I agree to an extent. From what I know, Data Realms is also working on another game alongside CC but upon revealing this, Data made sure to say that he will be devoting all of his time to CC. See:
http://devlog.datarealms.com/cortex-command/announcing-the-cave-vehicle-engine/. It's vague and uncertain for sure, but it's his word.
I don't think that you can really compare Data and Toady considering the massive differences in their respective projects. That's all I am able to say about that because I, also, am not a programmer. However, I will agree that Toady seems more dedicated, or at least that Data is not as upfront about his progress (whichever it may be).
I sympathize completely because it seems like so long to wait considering all of the money Data Realms has received (from sales and the IGF) but I also think that we are a little spoiled by montly DF releases.