I don't even think they're keeping us totally in the dark anymore, there's probably just very little progress and focus on the character generator so there's nothing to really show. No one would be excited reading "We finally found some time to create 2 new sprites for skirt A", and they know that.
We're expecting something great now, it's been several years after all, they know that too. The issue is that while we're expecting them to have years worth things to show whenever the update comes, there won't actually be years worth of new content in it.
Time keeps outrunning them. Expectations grow faster than they can justify working on the generator and it probably isn't bringing in a lot of money anymore. I bet the generator's development is running on fumes while the team members are busy with other projects and life things.