Or maybe they want people to go into the game without certain expectations. Or maybe they are planning to respond but haven't found the time to do so yet. Or maybe they have wanted to think about how to explain the plot and mechanics without spoilers or angering either the romance fans or haters. Or maybe they haven't actually checked this particular thread? etc etc
FWIW I just watched the spoiler free version of the stream that someone made - personally it seemed like Swen just doesn't consider what's in this game to be a 'romance' as he understands it is commonly perceived. It seems clear there is some 'romantic' type content otherwise he wouldn't have done the ahhhh (thinking pause) or qualified his statement with 'not really'. To me this is perfectly consistent with all previously known information and I wouldn't be concerned. His reply does not indicate to me that anything has changed since those updates or press articles, though of course this still leaves us at square one of some people wanting confirmation.
/speculation
"Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that" - Leunig
