They already did the early quit & happy end waaaaaay back,In my book it's not much of a branching, is it like splitting in two apart from a chance for an early quit & happy end? And in case they keep on with this 'default' branch for the time being - welcome & GL to having more of the sameish updates throughout 2024 at least. I'd put for you some rofl or lol smile here, pal, but that whole game development situation won't be much of a fun, if you ask me.
It's as major of a branch as is possible in a game like this.
Also, AFAIK the plan was to finish the game this year.
It's almost as if you've not even played the game or followed the game development in the slightest. Which is fine and all, but just don't go writing long ass posts about stuff that you don't know about.