v0.20.8 (25-Mar-2021) vs. v0.20.13 (20-Feb-2022)
A steady ~30k / mo. patreons providing ~$75k / mo => 11 mo. paid with a total of ~$825.000.
Raw differences in image payload between the 2 versions (this covers all 3 pre-tech updates): 1020 new files (56 MB), 17676 same or practically identical (883 MB) (thousands of files are re-written from their original .psd format and have slightly different binaries but the images are practically unchanged).
So $825k yielded +5.77% images (artwork) (+6.34% in size) on top of 5 years of development instead of the min. 20% that would've been fair considering the income at year 5 could've provided a lot more manhours vs. income from earlier years.
I won't even bother diffing the .rpy scripts. It's crystal clear. The difference in missing output will be nowhere to be found in the magical tech update. It was just $ straight to pocket for DC.
If DC would've been paid on delivery, the switch to 16:9 would've been made strictly behind the scenes in a few weeks TOPS, by a competent developer which he has more than enough $ to hire even just for this one job. All the artwork already done would've still appeared in the 4:3 layout and anything new would've been 16:9. Over time more and more content would've been switched to 16:9.
Yo, patreons! You're paying to get fucked and these releases are the lube! Enjoy, 'cause the only way it'll stop is when you stop the free $$$!