The problem is you can't develop a different game for each "option". You do one, or the other. Not both.

It depends on how much customization they're doing for the multiplayer game.  If it's a simple matter of making certain techs unavailable then it seems they could easily include a check box that says, "Allow all techs in multiplayer" or "Disable simultaneous turns".  If they're making hard coded changes explicitly for multiplayer then it will be significantly more difficult to make those optional.

Since the MP XML files are given by Stardock servers, I guess we need to wait for the custom servers, allowing to play with modded versions of Elemental. 

Bitterly disappointed about the MP info.  There's a reason my friends never picked up GalCiv2 but were chomping at the bit for Elemental.  Now I have a feeling most of them are going to be clamoring for refunds, depending on how gutted..er.. "streamlined" the MP experience is.

I know Elemental is a SP focused game, so I'm not asking for additional features in MP, I'm just asking to play the same game that I bought.

I know MP isn't a big deal to a lot of people, but it is to me.  This game wouldn't even be on my radar without it.

I do have to disagree about the part about wanting to play Civ 5, its been the same game for the last 2 decades they improved the graphics great, but a veteran spear-man can still take out a Abrams tank, Its almost as bad as heroes of might and magic 5, 5 games made I'm still chasing the enemys heroes around with their ghetto band or random thugs taking my mines.

Good job Brad its funny but normally i find out about games from game sites this time around i seem to be finding out about game sites I've never heard of through Elemental LOL, anyways I'm really lucky i found out about this game a month ago through word of mouth because i love these sort of games and there are very few around let alone that are done well and also to know that Stardock is behind it a company I've known through games like calciv 1and 2 with a good reputation and with ethics I agree with , I hate soulless corporations who use hype and enormous PR machines that are very good at making lots of money but little else.

I am really looking forward to this game so much so that every other game is on the back burner I love Strategy RPG games and its nice to know that my money (most of it anyway) will be going towards supporting people who make these sort of games purely out of a selfish point of view you understand i want this game to get even better and Stardock to be around making more games

I'm in the single-player camp, so I'm not too concerned, but if I wanted the "Full" single-player game in multiplayer, shouldn't I be able to make a mod that does that? 

Also, I can't even imagine how ungodly long a 16 person game would take if you didn't have simultaneous turns. 

What's wrong with that? A veteran spear-unit could well beat a tank if they knew exactly where to poke it.

Sarcasm ?