- Eric will be in the game, but originally he's going to be behind the scenes. Max will be able to talk Ann out of the relationships with Eric so you won't have to see him if you don't want to. And if someone misses him, maybe (no promises yet) Max will be able to convince Ann to start dating Eric so he'll have an active role in the game. Again, this is going to be 100% optional and voluntary.
He´ll probably add him in one update, see if he has an increase in pledges, and go from there. The problem I see is that he would have three branches: glamour, bb (no Erick), bb (with Erick). I can´t expect a person like DS to handle such a thing.
I myself would love for Erick to come back, he was such a misused character, sharing is caring after all. But you´re right, all the snowflakes and weird people who say shit like “I don´t like my pray being taken from me” will never allow it.