L&P himself uses the term 'too many' referring to the number of characters. A term that is used when there's too much of something unwanted: there are too many people in the line to the bathroom, there are too many passengers in the subway, etc. The irony is that he created these characters and decided to create those several paths and still he says 'too many', like if he didn't have any control over it.
It's interesting that L&P's hard core 'supporters' & apologists often seem to have the same mindset. It's as though the Dev wasn't in total control of the whole set-up from the start to whenever, (if ever), it is finished. Almost, as if he wasn't the puppet master but was overseen by someone or 'some thing' pulling strings, ignoring the fact that he is his own boss, with all the advantages & disadvantages that entails. They seem to believe he works full-time under constant pressure, when it's obvious that several year's worth of fanbase 'pressure' to speed up, has had the opposite effect, time & time again, i.e. he is not under any pressure, except possibly that of his own making. It's as though he is a mage working in some inner sanctum with mysteries which must not & cannot be divulged & which would defy understanding by the horde.
Somehow there's either a lack of acknowledgement of the reality, leading to speculative explanations & excuses, in the absence of any information from the Dev himself, (which, if provided, is believed without demur), or a philosophical acceptance that no alternative(s) exist, to the way things are. There are even expressions of contentment, which, presumably, please L&P & assure him that for those who truly 'believe,' he's on the right course, despite that course being completely flexible, except with regard to development pace.
Better communication, (including occasional sounding-off, if that was the honest feeling at the time), would help, e.g. details of future plans, which characters & stories have in effect been written out, specifics of any intended speed-up etc., etc. This, of course could involve somewhat more precise answers than are customarily produced, (if & when they are forthcoming) & might be seen as placing limits on both Dev & game. Even just stating that there were no plans to do anything any different, at any time, would be a step forward. Do nothing, change nothing, is always an option but it would be good to know if this was the choice made.
Ultimately, if there's not to be another slowdown, or if it's ever genuinely decided to speed up in real time, more work would be required. Work, as in harder, faster, smarter, or all three. What are the chances?
