I get the feeling that they would rather have everyones defamatory opinions stopped untill they release the final product.
Then when the sales figures come through, they wouldnt mind anyone saying anything.
I agree with you.
(Just my opinion)
But I think releasing the pre beta (alpha) program to the general public was a bad marketing mistake.
They should of allowed bedroom modders, graphic designers, programmers and builders to buy in to the pre beta stage only.
Then they could work out and iron out all the bad things first, then released a pre-purchase beta/demo.
From what I can see and read on the net, it looks to me that they need to employ a media trained communicator to calm everything down, as this is the first time I have ever seen a manager come onto the shop floor and start arguing/debating in public.
Things can get said in the heat of the moment that we all read back and regret saying.
I just hope that somewhere along the line there is a pleasant equilibrium from all of this, and we can ALL look back and laugh at this one day.
In this kind of projects Kickstarter and WMD i dont believe that it would help them get the funds needed if they did that, it is also important to have community feedback (constructive preferably) in terms of being able to develop a good game and avoid mistakes that are made in a release base by the big companies out there. Sure it may lead to some fanatics going beserk but thats something that Ian warns in every new member that joins the project.
But i understand your comment on it.