When I first got the steam response, I cried for a long time. Each comment I got just really hurt.
This is going to sound really nerdy but I once played a game that had a game designer in it as a character. He said:
"You don't need a knife to kill a game developer, you just need to tell them their game sucks."
I think that is absolutely true to some degree. At the same time, after getting all those steam reviews and crying a whole lot, and almost quitting game dev... I eventually kinda just picked up my keyboard and tablet pen and kept making stuff.
I think now after those experiences, I'm absolutely floored when anyone says anything nice about anything I make. It blows my mind every single time.
I can't say I am immune to being told my game sucks or that mean comments don't hurt my feelings, but I still want to make games even if people think I suck.
I think part of the reason people got angry is that the game made them feel uncomfortable to wield power like that. No one wants to be the bad and I think that made people lash out.
That's kinda why I'm really shocked my most recent game didn't solicit another huge group of people who think I suck and am a terrible person and scum.
I really thought I was absolutely doomed and I just don't get it.
(Also I wanted to say one more time, thank you for being all "grrr" about that guy. I don't want to wreck anyone's careers or life but it was nice to see someone care.
When my steam stuff first came out I had a perfect 100% negative rating for a long time and it was really hard feeling like no one cared so thank you.)