Hello! This in inaccurate. A quick look at the forum here on itch.io should tell you that I've stated recently the project is in the final stages of development and that I post more frequently on tumblr.

Even if you don't want to check tumblr, this post - which is visible on the main project page- is one I posted in 30 days ago, stating the project is around 95% completion.
https://itch.io/t/1798673/more

I do not often post devlogs here on Gilded Shadows unless there is a major update to the content on this site - not just a brief and general development progress report. I have three other places with more active communities that I update on a more regular basis

Thank you!

~Esh

Haha. I'm glad you didn't have to die of impatience alone in a gross ditch somewhere! 

Thank you so much for this comment. It was such a sweet post to find and brought a smile to my face. O///w///O

I'm really trying to focus on getting the original six love interests complete (their writing is done but I'm finishing up the editing then focusing on art) but Reuben keeps poking me with ideas for his route. Honestly, that man is so impatient. LoL

Ari's was the first route I completed but I replayed it recently to prep it for alpha testing and....OwO I still love him so much. He's my secret favourite. (Don't tell the others!)  I hope he lives up to expectations when the game is out. It's both awesome and terrifying to have people anticipating Gilded Shadows so I really, really hope I can produce a game that is worth the wait!

The personality options at the start do lock/unlock some choices (for instance, you can only pick up a weapon in the dark hallway if you have the right trait). But mostly, the personality choices will lead to what I consider "hidden" branches - basically places where the story branches outside a choice menu and the player wouldn't normally know there was a branch there.  That's the main reason I included flowcharts in the game - so you can see where those personality branches are hiding.

In the common route it's really easy to include choices that are hyper relevant to what's going on. It gets a little more difficult in the character routes where I need to have more control over the story flow to keep the branching from getting totally out of hand. But I do try to make sure the choices are significant - even if there are places I know I have to force the MC into a certain reaction to keep the story manageable and headed where it needs to go. LoL

(Having pity on Rory is significant, though, since it has an impact on whether he shows up again in certain routes or not).

Anyway! I'm happy to hear you like Quill. I haven't started his route yet because he was added into the game as a Kickstarter stretch goal and I'm focusing on the original six intended LIs first. But I'm looking forward to it. I think he's going to be a fun character to write. He doesn't do much in his brief introduction besides complain that the MC is passing out in the street - but his personality is fun and I can't wait to introduce him more fully. OwO

This is a quote from me for another comment:

"I'm hesitant to post exact dates because, unfortunately, there's just a lot going on that can cause delays.

I'm still holding to 3rd Quarter next year at the earliest for the first six routes. Three routes (Reuben, Quill, and Yuu) were added during Kickstarter and will be added to the game after release as a free expansion - not as DLC. The routes are about 100,000 words each and four of the six are currently complete, one is in progress and one hasn't been started yet. Writing is the most time consuming part so once I have the routes complete I'll probably be able to give a much clearer estimate on a release time frame and I work on the writing daily, trying to get it done. Each route is the equivalent on a fairly long novel so it just takes time!"

And you are right - Caleb definitely has a cute, soft side despite the outward grumpiness! 8D

He can be when he wants to be! LoL

I'm hesitant to post exact dates because, unfortunately, there's just a lot going on that can cause delays.

I'm still holding to 3rd Quarter next year at the earliest for the first six routes. Three routes (Reuben, Quill, and Yuu) were added during Kickstarter and will be added to the game after release as a free expansion - not as DLC. The routes are about 100,000 words each and four of the six are currently complete, one is in progress and one hasn't been started yet.

Writing is the most time consuming part so once I have the routes complete I'll probably be able to give a much clearer estimate on a release time frame and I work on the writing daily, trying to get it done. Each route is the equivalent on a fairly long novel so it just takes time! 

I hope this helped. It's kind of a non-answer, but I'm definitely working as fast as I can. <3