@Blade - it's a bit disheartening to hear that a developers creative talents are being curbed. This is obviously one reason why some choose to move on to other projects and i hope that's not the case with you. I've only been here a very short while, but it seems you're a mighty important fixture around here
Regarding models and skins, couldn't you offer an add-on pack with your model designs, available as a separate download? Anyone not wishing to use them simply doesn't install the pack and thus they will see only the default models. Of course this puts those choosing to use the pack at a disadvantage (assuming the add-on models are more stealthy/realistic) than those who choose not to, so...
What about the possibility of adding more models with a particular set of models for certain game types? This would allow more creativity and models better suited to the game type: realistic cammo stuff for bomb maps, traditional red/blue based models for CTF, etc.