Lead developer Steve Hawkins also published a dev blog today. It gives more details on the reasons for the release delay, progress so far, and what they're working on as they prepare for launching the game into EA next year:
https://allianceofthesacredsuns.com/whats-next-for-alliance-as-we-hit-the-homestretch-of-development/Currently, there are two major features they're working on implementing: One is the Emperor system (or rather, a (finally) fleshed-out version of it), where you as the Emperor/Empress must learn to manage your limited time (represented by Action Points) between taking care of the Empire, your relationships, and yourself. Focusing on the first 2 factors at the expense of the 3rd comes at a price, as doing so will shorten your lifespan -- the game ends when you die, so it's something you have to keep in mind.
The other major feature being added before the play-test and Early-Access launch is the Oratory Kombat system -- yes, really.
In earlier versions of the game, when you asked a character for help and/or to change their mind about something, and they told you to piss up a rope in response, that was it; you couldn't do anything about it. With the new OK system, however, you *can*.
It sounds like these, ah, debate battles shouldn't take more than a few minutes to play out, and are entirely optional in any case. But I love that that they're in the game; I think it's a very cool idea.