I thnk what happened is NLT Media decided to make a bespoke version of RPG Maker, basicly gutted the software and replaced many script etc., with own purpose built code. This took more time than expected and, took keep customer onboard, NLT Media felt obliged to throw customer a bone and release something hence the beta version etc., which never happened before with earlier games. Look like, to me, software and game is being extended together and so game becomes more and more polished like other games. Hardly any story has begun, a handful of characters introduced, and map only recently available etc. Customers were clamouring for new game and NLT Media released SotS too early, maybe not wise in my opinion but is done now and only way for game is up.