I'm posting this here because, honestly, this feels like one of the only places where feedback can be shared publicly without being behind a paywall.
I want to start by saying, I LOVE Eternum. The story, the characters, everything about it is amazing. It's genuinely one of the best visual novels I've played. That's why I feel the need to speak up instead of just sitting quietly. That said... the update schedule over these past years has been really frustrating. The jump from 0.8 to 0.9 took just a little over a year. While the update itself was nice, it didn't feel like it matched the wait or financial support coming in; it felt pretty short, in all honesty. With over 10,000 paying supporters and a team credited on the project, it feels reasonable to expect either more consistent updates or at least some explanation for the delays/increased development time.
What makes it even harder is that this isn't the first time. It's been a pattern, ever-increasing stretches between updates, and very little public communication about why. When support keeps coming in month after month, but progress slows down, it starts to feel... unbalanced. No one is asking for perfection, but it's hard not to feel like our patience is being tested without acknowledgement. The silence doesn't help. Most of the discussion spaces are locked behind a paywall, so it's hard for any feedback, especially critical but respectful feedback, to reach the developer or community. That makes it feel like no one notices or cares, even if some of us may be quietly frustrated.
To Other Players/Supporters
I'm not here to tell anyone how to spend their money. If you're happy with the update pace and the game, that's fine. I just think it's worth looking at the bigger picture. A year-long gap between updates, combined with so many people paying to support the project, is something worth talking about. Silence doesn't always mean there isn't an issue; sometimes, it just means no one realizes it or wants to be the first to say something.
To Caribdis (If You Read This)
This isn't an attack on you, and it isn't a demand for impossible output. I understand making a game like this does take time. That said, given the level of financial support and the credited team working on the project, it's hard to understand why progress has been so slow and why communication about delays is almost nonexistent. From the outside, it can easily look like the timeline is being stretched intentionally to keep support coming, which I'm sure isn't the impression you want to give.
This is why I'm asking for accountability, either a clearer explanation for the delays or a faster development pace that reflects the support you're receiving. Supporters care about Eternum, I care about Eternum, and I think most of us just want reassurance that our trust and support are being respected. I'm sharing this in good faith, hoping it opens a conversation rather than being dismissed.
Final Notes
I want to emphasize that this isn't about negativity or entitlement. I'm sharing this because I GENUINELY care about Eternum, about the community, and about supporting creators responsibly. Taking a moment to reflect on how support, communication, and development pace align benefits everyone: the developer, the community, and the longevity of the project. If nothing else, I hope this encourages more open discussion, whether it's about timelines, updates, or simply making sure the community feels heard. Constructive criticism and feedback go a long way toward building trust, and I think we all want the game to succeed in the best possible way.