Except the intention was never to have "nothing tying the MC down". It's a college-based dating sim but not some generically crafted one that you are playing it as. DPC's intention from the beginning was to put his own spin on it, ergo not just a "college frat party boy lifestyle" avn. He has always had a linear storyline in mind with an organic setting and living characters.
Reading through your comments, I'm of the mind that you're citing DPC without having actually seen his comments. If I am wrong, and you have read through his earliest words about BADIK, you seem to be purposely misinterpreting the statements DPC made. Nothing changed in terms of the story being told, characters were more fleshed out and increased in number but what you're speaking of simply has you coming off as obtuse.