Based on some issues that players of Alternate Reality X reported, I was keen to try out one of the more recent versions of SFML 2. Hopefully this would resolve problems relating to the use of RenderTextures on machines using integrated Intel graphics. Using a very helpful tutorial by SFMLcoder over at http://sfmlcoder.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/building-sfml-2-nmake/ I was able to build my own SFML 2 binaries and libraries successfully for the first time.
I also used this as an opportunity to switch from Visual Studio C++ 2008 Express to the 2010 edition. It looks like there are a few changes between 2008 and 2010 but no major issues just now.
One thing to remember if that players will need to install the Visual Studio 2010 runtime for the next ARX or SOTC release.