While that is true, you don't need to start with good models/textures. The major problem that all multiplayer mods face is getting a large enough player base. With a mod it is far more important to get it out quickly into the public consciousness whilst the player base for the vanilla game is as large as possible, then to have the flashiest graphics. Then gradually upgrade the mod through patches.

That being said there is a lot more work then just models, textures and sounds when making a mod and it is rare that many of these things will actually carry over from game to game.

Another issue i just thought of is that most new games involve some level of destructibility. While I don't know exactly how they implement this I am pretty sure it would involve major changes to models. Of course this again would be implemented through patches, but it is yet another feature the base game has that mod would not at-least for a few patches time.

General Un-Co,
                         Signing off

Also, all the vehicles and weapons have to be recoded  and tested to work with the new engine.   

The maps have to be designed for the new engine.   

This is not like moving from BF2 to BF2142, where they both use the same core game engine.    A new game engine requires new skill sets and certainly new team members.   There are too many mods that have started with a great idea, but could not deliver a release quick enough and died. 

The only way (IMHO)  that First Strike could continue beyond BF2142 is if DICE made the refractor game engine freely available for mod use, like other game developers have done with their old game engines.

play the current mod?

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