Well, it is, really. On the About screen in the app, the version number starts with a 3. In addition, Ash (in his video) clearly explained that it has been built using the same architecture as V1 and v2, as the intention was always to roll the three apps into one eventually.

But, of course, he could be lying (again).

I wouldn’t get too hung up on version numbers! With Serif’s original ‘flagship’ DTP application, PagePlus, PagePlus X2 was version 12 and PagePlus X8 was version 18, but (because of their slower pace of development) WebPlus X8 was version 16 and DrawPlus X8 was version 14.

The important practical point here is that — just as DrawPlus X8 can open files saved from DrawPlus X5 and X6 — Affinity version 3 can open files saved from versions 1 and 2.

AND that there is no V3 to V2 backwards compatibility, just as there was none from V2 to V1.

Interestingly the legal Serif documentation says that after the Canva buy out Serif refocused the engineering direction which is why there were fewer updates for V2 [than intended].  Basically the new direction came up after Canva took over and 5 of the Serif directors went.

Also Serif sales of licenses were up 30% yet in 4 weeks from an out-of-the-blue offer from Canva they sold the company and most of the directors went. 

BTW If you know any psychologists (or senior detectives) get them to watch the Canva video where it covers affinity-studio.

I haven't followed all your and others' posts and commentary, so I might have missed a thing or two. But you're being ironic here, right?