Yeah, it's a very long-term project, but I don't plan to work on just this (I'm actually working on another project at the same time as DD right now, but I don't really post about it.) I usually have about 2 projects on the go at once cos it helps me to switch between different sorts of stories cos some days I'm just not in the mood to work on one thing in particular x3 I don't know if I'll eventually manage to release every single character route that I have in my notes, but that shouldn't matter too much because each route can be played as a standalone story anyways, and I plan to always make sure that when I put out an update, even if the story is to continue from that point, it will also have an 'ending' like the current content does, so that things aren't just left hanging :3
If I'm honest, I don't even know how it works for putting stuff on Steam. I was really put off by what I read some other days saying a while ago about how difficult it is >.< They said you need like lots of images in loads of different sizes and resolutions (which would be hard for me to provide without distorting my assets since I'm not an artist) and numerous other problems and pitfalls. Itch is just so easy to use in comparison.
I'm also not allowed to sell the game anyways cos of my personal circumstances (I can accept donations to help towards funding its development, but I can't make it a proper commercial release currently.) And I don't really mind if people lose interest x3 I'm doing this as a hobby, so as long as making it is fun, I'll keep doing it regardless of what happens with folks following the project. If people are still playing it and enjoying it though, that's a really lovely bonus :3
Also, with the plans I have for the project further down the line, it's physically impossible for me to 100% finish 1 single character's content without working on other characters because certain choices made by the player can potentially cause different characters to cross paths during the story >.<
I totally get what you're saying though! It makes sense. And if I were a normal person, I probably would have already put it on Steam x3 But I don't really promote my projects and stuff because I don't like using social media >.< I have ASD and it stresses me out to spend the sort of time needed to promote a game on different social media platforms x3 I'm the type of person who would prefer to just work away on a project in the dark and never have to try and promote it at all, haha. So I don't mind if it takes forever to fund the full game or if it never gets fully funded cos I'd rather that than the stress and misery of promoting it. I'll just do my best with whatever funding I happen to get over time :3
You're welcome to just have a key if you want one anyhow :3 Feel free to drop me an email with your username from here so I know it's you, and I'll send you one as soon as I can if you decide you'd like one. I appreciate your support either way ^-^