If such turns out to be the case, my pessimistic side could reasonably assume that task 4 is the last we''ll see. There's only one (near) certainty with AWAM, which is that it will always be at a slow pace. That, in itself, is not a sure indication of abandonment. I've played games where updates took a year to appear but the projects/stories weren't abandoned. [This happened where the Devs had full-time jobs etc. & of course RL took precedence]. Admittedly these stories were not as complex as AWAM.
I'm not aware of L&P's situation so will say no more on that topic. What concerns me is the apparent lack of any attempt to tackle the issue of the inescapable fact that we're looking at decades before AWAM can logically conclude. There has AFAIK never been even a hint that this is something the Dev wishes to address, unless the methods adopted to speed things up, which resulted in slowing them down, are to be counted. [Fairness demands that these be taken as well-intentioned failures].
It's a case of "it is what it is", "take it or leave it". So we pirates but of more relevance, the paying Patrons, take it. This being so I can only hope that the Dev makes some tough decisions & soon. There are several fans on this thread with project management experience. I can only really speak for myself but I'm guessing that free advice, (which can be taken or left), would be forthcoming from those who wish AWAM success, should L&P choose to ask for it.
This is not determined by a set of arrogant assumptions because individuals have different skill sets & one person can't excel at all those required to complete a complicated VN, if they're "going it alone". Better communication would be a good start, in order for fans to more fully appreciate the problems involved & to be able to come up with appropriate suggestions for creative solutions.