No one has played the new version (0.13) yet.
My usual model is that older versions become free once a new one is ready. However, 0.13 may be released publicly before 0.14, to make up for the long delay before 0.12 became free.
I agree that 12 months is a long time. However, I can’t really control that timeline yet. I still have other obligations (mostly college) that take up most of my time, so I’m working on the game as much as I can without burning out.
I want Chapter 1 to end properly, and I believe quality matters more than speed, so I’m taking the time needed to make 0.13 the best experience possible.