I love both of Kota's looks but I'm digging his new look and I can't wait to see it in game. As a reader, I like the idea of making small releases rather than large releases since I could spend all day reading through all the content you put out until I finished it. Purely selfish reason on my end. As a creator, it does sound like a good way to pace yourselves and not overwhelm your creative process. It's definitely worth being patient to see the next chapter of Asterion's story.
What you're describing with having the hang out scenes pacing out the main story sounds like a good way to make the hotel feel more alive as we can see other characters doing their own thing as the plot happens. I already like how the individual days post chapter 13 gives the world a sense of time passing. Even if they may only lightly or not at all touch upon the events of the ongoing plot, the intros and outros to the days gives the impression of the guest going about their business at the hotel. The hanging out enhances that feel when in between the intros/outros to the day on top of getting to learn about our favorite characters that are not Asterion. And of course, if players didn't want to hang out with anyone and get to more minotauring, they do have the option to just not hang out or do anything for the day.
A question I have with implementing new options to hang out with different characters is: will all the content that you're currently planning for each character fit within the available days that are currently in the game? Since there wouldn't be any more chapters, ergo, no additional days to plan past chapter 17/18. I assume we'll have to load up past saves to access new hang out options.
I'm always down to hang out with Pedro and Oscar in the Hinterlands with more possible investigation options. I really dig the Hinterland section so getting to explore more of the mysteries to that tragic land and having more banter with Pedro and Oscar is very welcomed.
So much to look forward to and that's even before we get to the fallout from the events of chapter 18! The whole team has done fabulous work making this game so memorable. I first found Minotaur Hotel 0.1 in October 2019 which I can only assume I found through Nanoff's FA page. I remember being so engrossed in the mystery that was presented about the magical hotel, the minotaur's story, the villainous snake and what happens next as the new master of the hotel. That's all I played and only until May of this year was I able to revisit this project. (Heavy depression and my job kept me from a lot; and that's before covid happened.) In all that time, I kept thinking about Minotaur Hotel every once and in a while, wondering about the mystery about the minotaur's hotel. I'm so happy that I was able to revisit and engage with such a wonderful media that has spoken to me and help me through this rough year. Thank you all for such awesome work and I hope all of you and fellow fans have a happy holiday and great new year.