As a SMAX fan. I am really happy by this. BUT, I have little faith that any company would release playable and complete game in "release date" (It's Civ5 trauma, actually)
Now, I didn't like SMAC/SMAX (and GalcivII actually) because of it's space theme, trailer, graphic or boxart.
I love them due to their lore and how it developing as I play. Story that beautifully woven into game. When I play as a leader, I am building what my character want to build. Envision what my character want to see in the harsh worlds. I love all the quotes and backstory in SMAC.
So, I won't give my hope on it yet. But I wish it worth 50 bucks for many people. I personally want to lost myself into their deep world; where factions conduct war with each other with both words and gun. I hope they would offer a kind of reality that would make me addicted to it.
But whether Firaxis can, or will do that, is their choice.