John probably been pressured by some senior bitcoin community criminal.
He's is anon for a reason. Maybe someone got to him and he freaked out?
Maybe he's being threatened? Worst - being held hostage?
Maybe the zeroslot thing pissed off some online casino owners and that's why he panic launched it and got out of sight?
Maybe he's closing a deal with some online casino for the zeroslot and just busy?
Maybe he's coding, listening to Metallica and showing the finger to the world while he continues to build his legacy?

The truth is, like with Satoshi, "it doesn't fucking matter", the code speaks for itself and this coin is not going anywhere.