I think the negativity is not good for the game or developers, yet it seems the people doing it don't care
While OOTP posts "we're #1" with the current version of their game
http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...we-re-1-a.html when you actually look at the metacritic link while it is true they are tied for #1 out of 193 based on 8 reviewer reviews, among users they're tied for #183 out of 193 based on 173 user reviews!
Assuming the game really is good, the explanation for such poor user reviews likely connects to the board negativity IMO; you'd think those that supposedly support they game/developers so much would realize how damaging what they do is.....