It is imperative that you avoid the bad endings.
I don't want to trigger the bad ending, but unlocking this CG requires going down the bad ending route. The developer previously stated that Goodbye Eternity is not an NTR game and that they have no intention of misleading players into accessing NTR-related content. Doesn't that create a contradiction?
We are not arguing about the content of the CG. The developer stated that they would not intentionally guide players into bad endings. However, unlocking this CG requires players to trigger a bad ending. New players may force themselves to play through the bad ending just to unlock this CG, even if they dislike such content. Therefore, what I want to point out is that the developer’s words contradict their own actions, showing a serious lack of credibility.
You are correct in your assumptions. A discussion can be had on whether or not "bad endings" can be considered NTR, but I will grant that they are. Even so, these CGs are coming, as confirmed in the discord and patreon. The only thing you can do is avoid the bad endings. It is imperative that you avoid them.
The creator has repeatedly said there won't be any NTR. The community has already ripped into them over the announcement of the Bad Endings, to the point where discussions had to be be moved from the comments into threads like these just to keep things under control.
If actual NTR ever did end up in the game, you can be damn sure that CG would be posted everywhere within minutes. There wouldn't be any debate left at that point because every discussion would end up getting locked due to the backlash.
Now, I do think Errant Bird has a point about completionists being led into unlocking bad ending CGs, even if they'd rather avoid that content. I think the creator should hide those entries until they're unlocked, or even remove them completely so you can only view them if you choose to go down that path.
I dislike NTR as much as the next guy, but I am inclined to believe it (or something that can be considered NTR) is coming to the game. Last time I was on their discord and patreon, there was a poll about adding CGs for bad endings. Most people voted to add them. Maybe the CGs won't be that explicit, but it's safe to expect the worst.
I'm not part of the Patreon, but I'm guessing it's this poll: https://www.patreon.com/extra_life/posts/aprils-progress-155846947
Are you a member? If so, how did the votes end up, and what are people saying in the comments?
Ok, well, if that's true, then that's pretty disappointing.
I haven't been a paying member for over three years, so my opinion obviously doesn't carry as much weight as the people actively supporting the project. Personally though, I think they've done the game a disservice by pushing for Bad Endings instead of more dating sim content and character interactions.
If you also end up being right about the NTR stuff, then that'll probably be it for me. I'll leave an honest review and move on. It's not worth getting worked up over when there are plenty of other games that don't go down that route.