has there ever been an official statement on why cohen or shelby left the what pumpkin staff?

They didn’t leave the WP staff- Everyone did. Kind of everyone? And yes they did, there’s been restructuring of the WP staff likely because of money issues, but Shelby and Cohen and James and Poinko are still in the periphery of the project- Not hired but still actively promoting stuff and James even did some freelance work! Actually- Shelby is STILL in the team didn’t she draw some of the Friendsim art?

Either way, they’re focusing on the Friendsim to get popularity and money, and once they’re able to they’ll be brought back and resume development of Act 2.