This is the worst update so far, there were no lag at on on v0.1.16 but after 1.17 it's getting worst and worst, and changing the sex mechanic and adding the AI of all that, idk what the dev is thinking
He was thinking 'I can do this'
Following lines are not a reply to you, just what i am thinking on this whole thing, in general.
He really really wanted to do this...and he successfully did. (I am not criticizing its results, it ended up in a bad way yes but at least he successfully did what he wanted.) Results was not what he was expecting, he is aware of the negative feedback, that ~4 day delay happened because he foresaw people's disappointment on current state and bugs, he thought he can make things work smooth enough for the update release date, he tried to fix shit. He had his own disappointment on the plan with AI. A bigger disappointment than players.
I auto-respected this guy and his work when i first saw him doing a game like this. (Like 4-5 update ago) A real different adult game, sandbox gameplay with shitload of customization, a semi procedural generated town folk aaaand then he wanted to step up even further, tried to make something unique, wanted to make an optional AI support for RP purposes.
Yes, personally i didn't like the results, yes i turned off AI while playing, yes a few features were better in previous version. (Because this new versions/features we are seeing are also half baked buggy versions of nice things to come) I still respect what he did, he just wants to make something different, he wants to step up things. If he will fuck some things up temporarily and slow down game's progression as a result of this, i say let it happen.
Did you ever make something seems different? Or at least came the edge of making it? I am trying to put myself in his place. He HAD TO see the results, he HAVE TO play with this and push things a bit further. Just for satisfying himself and being happy.
NOTE: This thing we play here, it is a version he had to throw to supporters and followers because people were yelling too much in an immature way, saying promised update time passed, saying we want it now! This is half baked version of intended update. I already pointed out this is not the thing he wanted, while i am writing this he is dealing with problems, tracebacks, bug reports and guiding people on AI in game's discord. (Remember, most of these people are not even supporters) Long story short when he is done with all these he will have a solid feedback on what is wrong, what was bad and what is not working. Afterwards we will have a new update on this current update.