Why is a negative community response to a contest more detrimental than low participation?

A negative community response to a contest is more detrimental than low participation because it can damage the game's reputation, erode player trust, and create a toxic environment, whereas low participation primarily indicates a lack of interest or awareness. Low participation, while not ideal, simply means that the contest failed to generate significant buzz or appeal. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as an uninteresting prize, unclear rules, or poor promotion. It doesn't necessarily reflect negatively on the game itself. A negative community response, on the other hand, suggests that the contest was perceived as unfair, poorly designed, or exploitative. This can lead to widespread dissatisfaction, anger, and distrust among players. Negative feedback can quickly spread through social media and online forums, damaging the game's reputation and deterring new players from joining. For example, if a contest is perceived as pay-to-win or rigged in favor of certain players, it can create a sense of injustice and resentment within the community. Addressing negative feedback is crucial, but it can be difficult to regain trust once it's lost. Therefore, it's more important to avoid negative reactions than to simply maximize participation.