The "dozens of branches" is my concern too. This will balloon out of control if he adds paths.there seems to be the assumption that Eric will be gone eventually, even on the friendship path(s).
Is this a fact coming from the dev himself or just a rumor? does he really intend to carry over dozens of branches each and every update? or will he close the Eric chapter in every case and move back a linear story after that?
I hope the Eric chapter is closed or for-all-intents-and-purposes closed and then something else.
Someone above spoke about "Act1" etc. I really hope it goes like that. With Eric dealt with and then different activities.
But in update 0.7 we're promised... a massage parlor. Which means Aunt Kira (and potentially the girls) would also take part. I honestly doubt we'll have Eric dealt in a single update. That's not possible IMO. So... I am afraid it will be:
Eric-friend
Eric-Frienemy
Eric-Enemy
+ Massage parlor that will open more branches.
And as mentioned each branch would probably affect the other ones from a bit to a lot. I.e. I expect the girls would react different to the massage storylines if Eric is driving them to the massage parlor giving Max a thumbs up and a essential oils to put them in the mood and different if Eric is fighting Max and different if Eric is not in the picture.
That is not attainable.
I honestly hope that it goes by Acts.