"I tried to be more active, get more status updates out and so on."
Yeah sure, as aways
It doesn't take as much as 5 minutes to open the Discord app on cellphone and write "sorry guys, the game will be delayed for some time" (I have access to it and he NEVER write anything), or post some quick message on Patreon (don't need to be even a post); is the same issue of early days: lack of communication and negligence with hi's supporters (and I'm surprised that he still has that much).
And in the end, a bunch of people will grow even more hopeless of the game and another bunch will defend him without any question (and no one will never have sure of the truth about it); it's really sad for the game, so much potential wasted on only one pair of hands.