Personally I believe we have to forget Vstep.
Their site has become very professional: http://www.vstep.nl/ (http://www.vstep.nl/)
I recall from the past that Vstep was not supposed to make "games".
I do believe there are still people working on Extremes.
Why?
I send a mail from the www.shipsim.com site, and it stated that they would answer in 3 days.
This is over a week ago, and (still) no reply.
My question was simple, "if I have a budget what do I buy better, 3ds max or quest 3D. I would like to have a chance to build ships for SS2008, for I believe this is still a very popular sim, and my terms are no cure no pay basis."
A simple yes or no, and a simple best buy one of both mentioned.
Same as telling SSE is not that well made, it need to much power, seem to be a no no.
I think Vstep is bound to professional equipment and software, and the only way to do what they do now, (see the site) could not be done without the money made with the sales of the Simulator series.
I do not mind Vstep not answering my mail, I do however not like to be spammed with more than 6 mails in past week to buy the whole pack. I do have that pack for I preordered including Sagita and a bonus for Green Peace. Next bought all add-ons ferry pack Doga Winner Oceana, so there is no need for me to buy this "special edition"
I do however have my doubts about Paradox, who is now more or less in charge of the game, but that give no support at all, except to promote to buy.
I hope there will be future continuation and support for SS2008 and SSE.
I like both Simulators very much but they should be supported better than it is now.
Just basic respect for an agreement with VSTEP. Known as common decency. 
I agree, but dislike the idea that the sims where a mean to only raise funds for a professional commercial company that probably would not have survived without the game. I think Vstep has to keep in mind that it are the ship simulator fanatics like myself and many many others tht helped them.
Anyway I enjoy SSE as much as all the other sims. I hope Vstep uses its brain and give the forum moderators more information.
last but not least, I wish more people tried the SSE Demo first before buying.
Recently I read more and more that people buy SSE and it finally can not run on their computer.
It gives Vstep as long as they remain in silence a bad name.
And there is hardly any support to guide "the sim & PC dummies".
It is why I made a Tube SSE vs VSF try before you buy or are going to have an anoying experience
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI4grz7k0Mo&list=UUkmqG_dYwAb_8-KAGXmEn3A&index=1&feature=plcp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI4grz7k0Mo&list=UUkmqG_dYwAb_8-KAGXmEn3A&index=1&feature=plcp) if you buy without checking your PC and video hardware to meet requirements.
Specially at night I like to sneek into Dover harbour with my pleasure cruiser on the multiplayer server 11.
And for the answer on topic "Future patches after the SSE Collector's Edition release."
Well I gamble that it will become deserted and obsolete as SS2006, only big issues will be dealth with (patched).
And it will be for sale for years to come. And in ten years maybe everyone has a computer big enough to play SSE
I am aware of the fact that I am a little sinical.
I do believe good support is part of a good game.
This is why SS2006, SS2008 and SSE do not get more than a 7 on a scale from 1 to 10, and VSF a 8+.
