From my understanding, PC updates will be slowed even further and the special stuff that makes console interesting even for PC players will be gone.
I just want to point out as immediately as possible that
this is not the case. We have not said this, nor do we intend this, nor are our posts intended to suggest this.
The goal is to minimize the differences between the versions so that the rate at which Console/Mobile can catch up with PC is "sped up". The goal is NOT to "hold up PC while Console/Mobile catches up". I cannot emphasize this anymore clearly; emphatically "NO" this is not the case.
The biggest barrier to updates prior to the Pipeworks revamp was the fact that Terraria (PC) and Terraria (Console) were entirely different creatures; it was like Console Terraria was wearing the skin of PC Terraria, but underneath, everything was different. The end result was that translating PC updates into Console updates was a very difficult obstacle, which added substantial delays to every update.
Yes, the Pipeworks revamp has been a long one; that's because its as if the game is being remade from scratch so that "under the skin", its far closer to PC Terraria. The long term advantages to this are an improved ability for Console to inherit PC features, both in terms of accuracy and efficiency. So when we say "we expect Console updates to proceed faster towards matching PC", we truly mean that; it isn't some roundabout way of slowing down PC updates to wait for Console. There is truly nothing to be gained from this, as the ReLogic development team works exclusively on the PC. They aren't employees of the Console team, and so that is a resource that is being focused on PC no matter what!
I guess the thing that's bothering me most is that new content is so scare nowadays (which is fine, quality over quantity after all), but rather than focusing on finding something new and interesting, fixing the numerous balance issues with this game, or even polishing the little things to make it a cleaner experience overall, they're just removing what's already there.
Its unfortunate that you feel this is the case, given that on a daily basis we are working on that exact thing. In fact, the update we are working on right now (1.3.6), is specifically dedicated to polish and improvement to clean up the existing experience of the game, and I myself have made a strong case for working on the balance of a number of elements in this update. All of these features will, in due time, find their way to Console as well.
So I hope you can rest assured that our intention is NOT to slow PC content, and our intention IS to continue enhancing and improving PC content. That you've understood otherwise from our posts is truly unfortunate, because it is 100% opposite of the truth. I hope my post can reassure you to that extent.