How does reassuring hardcore gamers that the game is actually being made help Valve? Do you think they would have boycotted the biggest game of the decade simpl

How does reassuring hardcore gamers that the game is actually being made help Valve? Do you think they would have boycotted the biggest game of the decade simply because it was released late? Seriously... how did this help Valve? I know everything worked out well in the end, but the leak did somewhat spoil the game for a lot of people. I certainly didn't appreciate it at the time.