The reality is: if Fractal decline to port the same partial Ares Axe FXii had to the AX8 because a new product will be released in april, would de a turning point in company's support.
A new product with full Ares, big color screen, etc (together with, maybe, a smaller version) AND the partial port to AX8 as a final firmware would make more sense given the company timeline. The new product would be widely available for Christmas, after the pre-order list fase, etc.
Ares is in it's childhood and the early adopters would buy te 'AX8ii' to restart the firmware game. Axe FXiii users obviously too.
This or a new smaller AX8 version and firmware update only, until next year.
Let's see.