I don't think that peeps who are serious enough to keep several Shadows would be OK to trade that for one unit of anything. Having multiple copies shows an unwillingness to leave a match or interrupt training because your one precious broke something, especially if you're investing time and money to travel for matches. I think most serious competitors won't trade a confidence that backup guns offer for marginal performance gains.
I am not arguing that Alien is not a cool gun, and I am sure it is fun to shoot. My point is that, between price point, game rules, and available calibers, it will remain the nichest of niche guns.
I would argue that Limited is experiencing a different trend. The price of its guns is driven by tradition and belief that 5K custom 2011 is the only competitive piece of gear. That has been very successfully challenged in recent years, with polymer guns, Tanfos, and TSOs supportung highest levels of performance.
The most prevalent 2011 brand on the Nats Limited gear survey was STI. I think it is quite obvious why. Personally I think that market share of 6K gaming guns is going to be only shrinking.