[Fury]

What's the point in missiles having shine maps, normal maps and in some cases even glow maps/points? Standard mediavps assets vp-file includes shine maps for interceptor for example, seriously what's the point?

[T-Man]

Because they can!

Also, the files you've seen may be for the recently made high-poly tech description models, which are not in-game but used on the weapons loadout screen when you use the "show models" command.

[Sushi]

I trust that the FSU team is careful to not do things like super-detail tiny objects that will hurt framerate without any noticable visual improvement. Right? 

[IceFire]

I'm assuming so the same model can be used in the ship/arming screens? I hope thats why.

[Mongoose]

There is a specific command-line flag to activate applying lighting to missiles, so I'd assume that at least shinemaps (and maybe normal maps?) wouldn't be used if that isn't active.  I'd agree that they're probably used for the large weapons loadout screens.

[Zacam]

Normal, Shine and Glowmaps/Points are related to the _Tech.pof models that you see in the loadout and tech room.

The point? Because we can, aye. And because they make things look GOOD. In the Tech Room, you can have a nice LONG look at them.

In-game? As basic as possible to kill you with, naturally.