I don't think that by leaking the game dev will lose possible patrons. It's not working like that. It's the other way around. You found a game for free, you play, you like it and then you support. I supported PaleGrass a bit before after downloading Lisa here. So I see no problem in leaking it. But maybe other Devs have different approach.Just be a bit patient. It's gonna be released to the public anyway, so what's the point in leaking? A couple weeks more or less aren't gonna kill you, but Palegrass still relies on the income to keep the project going. If anything, leaking it early is just increasing the chance for this project to be abandoned...
... I wouldn't call that "heroic".