This was a very interesting read, In my eyes being able to bring a long worked on project to a Release Candidate Version is a mile stone in its self. Don't let the numbers and player interest deter you from future projects and you have clearly learnt alot from it which will greatly benefit your next project.

imo Creating games in its self is a very subjective thing in regards to player interest and making a game for everyone is a bad game design principle (I'm looking at you AAA Publishers!) so developing around something that interests you in the first place is one of the most important things in starting a project, one quote I remember from a source I've now forgotten is "Make a Game you want to play and use it as your main principle"

Good Luck on your next Project!

Thank you!
I'll be sure to keep that in mind going forward.