He didn't need to defend he his work, he just needed to not remove it from one of the prime storefronts, just because people were upset.

With countries banning him and I'm certain his inbox being flooded with attacks, including probably government/media ones, I can see how he would feel that he would have to. It was probably an overwhelming feeling and feeling like you are being brought into that war against your will.

You are focusing hard on the money aspect of this and how great it would be, but considering how easily he gave it all up I doubt it mattered at all to him.

Also this isn't a general product. Its a very niche fetish porn game. Even people who'd defend him are very unlikely to buy it, and the market for it is minimal in best case scenario. The bump in sales from this controversy is still likely not a number very high, though probably still notable relative to other games like it. Like, it isn't Hatred. Most people aren't gonna buy it because they see its name in headlines or play it for the laugh of it.

Again, this is a case of I get the likely mindset he is under even if I don't agree with him doing it.