It's just a theory, but I think Larian is trying to cover up for how rushed this game feels by claiming all that.
I mean, this is pretty obvious at this point. Remember the epilogue excuse they gave.
For me it's a disappointment, as the writers make it appear that everything I find annoying about the main story (Emperor, railroaded ending, Orpheus, tadpole mechanics) plays more or less out exactly as intended.
Feel the same way, reading that article/interview was pretty much a final nail when it comes to me losing interest in this game as a whole. The devs seem to not be taking their own story or characters seriously. Or as Ehhhh said they are coming with excuses so they can just wave away any criticism of the game having poor writing and not being finished.
The emperor part made me laugh, Sven goes on about the emperor never lying to you, being upfront about his selfishness and survival only to talk about his manipulation in the next sentence. I'm pretty sure the Emperor presenting himself as the Guardian and the whole situation with Stelmane is considered a lie.
And to add another funny thing that Fylimar mentioned in another thread. When asked about their favorite Wyll scene the answer was Mizora sex lol. (they know their audience)
