That happens when you ode something complex. not something like this game.
They're coding the game from the ground up. They're not using engines or some other tool that most Patreon game dev use. If they did use it with the same amount of knowledge as those Patreon game devs (who usually have teams but not always) it'd go quicker, however, they don't and code everything. Another thing is iirc this is one person, not a team. They're doing coding and art. Coding takes time, drawing can also take time, and this is done by the same person.
They're also self-aware of the fact that the game updates can be slow... so they tell their fans they can either wait until a public release is released (on here/their Twitter) or wait until an update is present on Patreon and pay a few dollars to get it early... to which they release it on here for free, a few days after. If someone really wants the game early, they can pay if they want to wait they get the same thing for free only a few days after... that's poor marketing.
They're not like "every Patreon dev". They're clear that they won't be able to update as fast as their fans want and that they can pay if they want or they can wait a few days when an update is released (on their Patreon) to be released publically (on here/their Twitter) I doubt they're like all those Patreon devs you blame. They tell their fans to not pay their Patreon because they don't update frequently and they release all their updates for free, only having the full update be on their Patreon for a few days before they release it... for free.
They also have semi-updates, usually for playtesting purposes for Patreon payers. Obviously, they wouldn't like to give a possible buggy mess to people for free. But I'd assume you'd complain about making people pay for that buggy mess... when the dev tells them that is what their subs would be doing...
If they weren't being paid, they'd still make the game. Most likely even slower. However, their Patreon subs know this and pay anyways... or they don't and wait like everyone else.
