It’s a real shame, honestly, because that interaction between a developer and their followers is essential. Besides getting real feedback (not just compliments), it also made this thread a pretty pleasant place. And, to be honest, I don’t remember being a bad atmosphere here, and I’ve been around for many years.
I lived through the whole EvilDom route removal and the unpleasant messages directed at her, although it’s true I didn’t really follow it closely. I just noticed a certain secrecy around it.
In fact, the game didn’t just grow; it was constantly being talked about, with people coming up with theories.
Tess, like any developer, has the right to do whatever she wants. And it must be tough to constantly receive rude comments from people hiding behind anonymity… But this community was healthy, damn it. The long-time members took care of the trolls, and then Tess would show up and, boom, back to theorycrafting. Those were good times…
I was a Patreon for, like one month, and I never used the Patreon or Discord channels. I like to read theories here, where people can speak freely. And tbh I find F95 a better place to discuss the game, there is more activity and so many people.
Even when I was a Patreon of other game for around a year I never used the Discord channel

What I want to say is: Yes, there are trolls and rude people, but my experience here is good, and people it's not just here to be rude, there are theories in most of the threads and people helping others with saves problems and stuff. It's not a bad place, F95 it's not that bad...