It wasn't just talk. However, if Stardock is unable to support the skin due to problems with all of the graphics hardware out there, it is infeasible to release it as a product. Perhaps it could be done with a specific compatability list, but it's hard to be dead certain that such a low level thing will work in all circumstances (and if it doesn't, the result is harsh). That's why they pay the Windows guys a lot, and even then they mess it up sometimes.
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Even if they can't finish development or support the product, I'm all for trying the higher color beta version as-is. I just want to know if we can still get the beta if the project gets mothballed.