I'm not sure if this has been asked before, but why not release a compiled development version so that we can know exactly what and how the new features are being implemented? This way, we can help find any bugs you may have missed that are not in the latest stable release and you can get better feedback on the new features you are currently working on.
Just give us a new release is what I'm saying.
I think the answer to that question is because the things on his list are the things he knows need to be NOT broken when he finally releases it. As in, game breakers and other extreme problems that he already knows are wrong with it, and that would generate more complaints than praise if he were to release it.
And before you say "oh well, he can release it with the disclaimer that it is a buggy version", do remember that particular disclaimer is already attached the game, and even still we have people complaining in almost angry tones over any particular bug that breaks the game. A release now would only multiply those breaks, and thus only multiply the complaints. The sheer amount of people who I can see saying "why did he release such a buggy version??? I can't play this!" the moment your own wish is fulfilled is mindboggling.
And before you say "well the breaks can't be
that bad," he is already on record as saying that currently cities cause massive slowdowns. That's one of the big features going out this release, and it appears to be broken at the moment. There are already a number of angry-ish complaints that he has taken the time to push out a number of systems lately that players can't use because of bugs, and this would only add another one to the pile.