Reading all of the above posts regarding the story direction & huge ensemble cast, there are many good points made. Knowing what we do about the likely fate of AWAM, if nothing changes, or as seems possible development actually grinds ever more slowly, it seems that we keep turning in an ever-decreasing circle.
There are many studies of what factors create real motivation for change but in RL work, change is generally imposed from above. As that's not possible in this case, or perhaps even desirable if it was, the next issue would logically be a question of what would truly motivate the Dev to change? Many of us have made suggestions, (usually well-meaning), knowing that they would almost certainly be ignored.
There is zero chance of a mass desertion by paying patrons, which would in any case be a self-defeating proposition, if this was permanent. There have been cases of football (soccer) clubs where supporters have targeted specific games to stay away from, thus indicating to the rich & powerful that continued support was conditional upon various changes being implemented. Such efforts have had mixed success/results but they certainly got senior figure's attention. It's one radical measure that came to mind but would probably be a non-starter, especially from a pirate's POV.
All I can think of in the short term is to try to activate L&P's interest in polls, as in which stories should be combined, which characters should fade out, etc? There should be a way to harness L&P's desire to continue the VN, while making a good living, in tandem with the fan's wish for the game to continue but to speed up & not be abandoned.
I say there should be but this is where I would ask the assembled Committee, or whatever, to come up with ideas. I wish I had some more but I don't at this point & also have no wish to decrease the circle even further. Another obvious thing to do would be to just give it the old "que sera, sera", which is also used as an ironic football chant btw.
