So, before everyone gets excited about today's new release, I'm going to suggest waiting for the inevitable bug fixes in the next couple days. I already think I found a new bug, though I suppose it's possible that it's a planned mechanics change. I started a new game (not a new game+), and all of the conversation topics are immediately available. The bug might have been caused by the almost certainly intended change that the topics are now in two rows instead of one long row.