I just love how people make colossal fuck ups and learn some mundane lesson they should have learned simply by picking up any book written about design in general.
Aye. It's not like this sort of thing hasn't been seen before in the industry, both with new ventures and older, more established companies.
If you needed an indication of how well a half baked product which is overambitious in scope and rushed out the door to soon would do, a quick look at Troika's VTM:Bloodlines would have been a great start. Of course Troika had talent so their storyline etc was engrossing even while the engine was a buggy piece of crap that has been better supported by the public. Sans subscription.
Learning from your mistakes is great and all, but saving time by learning from others before you make your own seems like a better idea...