Ideas come from all sources. Ergo, I have no issue if they play other games. Some is personal some is research. Would you begrudge them reading a book if it meant they could find ideas there to use in the story. Pretty sure you would not. A VN/game is the same idea. And this team at least has a strong history of honesty and engagement with their audience. They also are pretty good at meeting their production schedule. IMO
I recently gave up on A Wife and Mother. The Dev is not engaging and never meets his stated schedule. The development cycle is exceeding 2.5 years per Playable Day. There are 18 Days left. I am not going to wait 45 years for the ending. It is already 5 years old.
Just a comparison.