On topic, to transform VB6, which is still, and will continue to be, a money maker for Microsoft, into open source would be tantamount to a car manufacturer giving away free automobiles to anyone that wanted one.
Yes, releasing the source of VB6 for nothing is probably inconceivable for Microsoft. Since they still make money with it, why not try to convince them to make MORE money by releasing a new version?
Since I discovered Delphi and Lazarus, VB has become history to me.