I've returned with an update and some thoughts/comments on the recent chats here.
Firstly, my patrons* have voted for an early release of Chapter 5 content.
This will mean a Chapter 5: Part 1 will be available in the distant (but not as distant as a full Chapter) future.
Parts will not be an equal length and the first part's length will be determined by when I reach a good pause point, to leave you hungry/angry for more.
Which brings me to...
Chapter lengths and choices
Chapters have a life of their own and while I can chat stats with you all the day long, it's all subjective as Hell (lines of dialogue vs images vs choices, etc.). And it's going to 'get worse'.
For instance, Chapter 5 has two possible beginnings. In anyone's terms that's 'double' the work when perhaps only a few will ever see one path. Also certain relationships are now very different, so in the same scene there are many different dialogue paths and often image alternatives. No complaints, but choices are a click for users, a time sink for developers.
On choices. I'll try not to punish you, but the story needs its ups and downs.
I think the game (that got everyone upset) did a brave thing in terms of drama and an 'either or' choice. However I'm not going to do that, in those terms, but I do like to make seemingly simple choices matter.
Whether Marie gets the knife or not, it isn't the salvation to a life in the apocalypse, but it does matter for one moment. A moment that will affect a character much later.
I've also said it before. The results of your very first choice will only become apparent near the end. Again, I'm not going to punish you, but there are consequences.
Just like some people don't think through the real consequences of pregnancy...
*For those who don't know, I have a Patreon account, but it's closed and I'm simply fulfilling rewards to original patrons for the moment.