Nukeproof, you'll notice if you read my posts that the "plans" to go with UT2007 is coming from the community.
I really wish I could look into the future and tell you what will happen in order to "prove you wrong", but I can't. I forgot to pack my tarot cards when I left the last fortuneteller convention I attended last spring.
For me, it's also a question of motivation, yes. One of the key elements in my motivation is to work with an engine I have faith in. No engine, no motivation.
One of the great things about working for free, in your spare time, having it as a hobby and then, when it's done, giving it away for free, is that you don't have to prove anything to anyone. You do whatever you want, whenever you want and noone can claim you "owe" them anything. And so, whatever happens, happens.
As to why team members don't post here anymore, I guess some of it can be blamed on posts such as yours, back during 2.9 development. People "demanding" things. So, before we start going down that road again...well, let's just not go there. Again, whatever happens, happens. If an engine turns out to be The One, then great. If we'll just have to wait and see, then that's what we'll do. In the meantime, we are on vacation.