Technically, the rules indicate that you are to determine the SU requirement, including the tech level modifier. This modifier is then removed when determining the CR value:

However, your method would work just as well, if not better -- i.e., saving the TL modifier until last and only applying it after the CR has been determined.

Seekers and strikers are a subset of fighters -- as such, they attack targets from an adjacent hex. The bit about detonating if they end in the same hex as an opposing ship is just a special case.

Well, negotiations with the estate of Mr. Goodenough are still underway, so it's not a done deal yet... but I'd put a 50-60% chance that we'll get the rights eventually.

Haven't really had too many discussions about game mechanics, but the most difficult thing to implement (and point-cost) is going to be the Titanian mind control; that's a bit outside Starmada's "comfort zone".

I would look for something by Christmas...

Well, I'm afraid I can't promise there won't be a bunch of supplements and expansions -- because that was the whole point of the Admiralty Edition in the first place...

It's important to keep the product in the public eye, and that's difficult to do without follow-up releases. No matter how wonderful a game is, no matter how complete, go six months to a year without additional product and people start complaining about a "lack of support".

Secondly, the split of the "core" game into two books was absolutely necessary -- it allows us to "bundle" the rulebook with specific sourcebooks (like for SFB/FC) without confusing the issue with the "Starmada" background material.

Not to mention the fact that if I were to wait until I've thought of EVERYTHING for the game so that I can put it into a single, comprehensive volume, the book would never be finished...

Having said that, I can promise that future releases will not be in the CCG mold, in which each merely adds to what is necessary to play The One Game -- and potentially trumps what came before. Rather, each release will be distinct and self-contained; when combined with the Core Rulebook (or creatively intertwined by players) they will create what could be considered separate games with the same underlying framework.

Obviously, if a particular setting gets to be really popular, we might add an additional scenario book or somesuch, but for the most part, the intent is to explore all the possibilities of the Starmada game engine... and that's just not possible with a single, unified book.

Finally, if there's enough clamor for it, we might release occasional "compendiums" of rules-only material for players who don't want the "Brash Cardigan and the Hordes of Titania" background material but want to have the rules that go with it.

There's nothing saying the "special equipment" version of the spinal mount couldn't be put back into the game. It wouldn't break anything...

Again, nothing saying this can't be done. But as a basic resolution system, it was easier (IMHO) to handle marines as described in the Core Rulebook.

Sure. But this feels like adding things just for the sake of adding things. In the basic game, why can't bases just be ships without engines?

Now THIS would be cool...

VERY nice!!