The only problem about XEL is that the current developers picked up the open source where the original dev left it and now they are working on it but what if they get tired and move on? What happens to the development of XEL?
When did the original dev leave? EK is still here isn't he? A few others joined along the way.
If you mean Lannister, he was not a dev AFAIK.
People believe any crap written in an article without trying to check stuff out (yes, an article which lacks accurate data and invents stuff up is crap). That is probably why they think Lanister was an important dev that left. Amazes me how people are manipulated easily for their own laziness.