I think the opposite is true. A more linear game process can effectively shorten the project timeline. A more linear process is also common in the entire industry and is not particularly criticized.My point wasn't whether VP can be expanded but more intended to correct the records concerning Violated Heroine "failed effort" being nothing of the sort since the game is still well alive and has nothing to do with VP. I honestly don't care about VP as a game since it fails in every department except art and writing, a prime example of a talented artist being an untalented game dev, but it is nonetheless a good "gallery/scene viewer" imo.
Also if memory serves, Dungeons & Prisoners got abandoned because the only dev got crippling eye problems, I really hope he's doing better.
At most, this is just conservative, at least the game is finished.