There are so many tiny dev teams doing the competitive multiplayer thing. It's crazy. They have to compete with the marketing departments of the biggest companies in gaming ,and* they have to provide constant updates and content for anyone to stick around. If people don't stick around, you're labeled a "dead game," and people won't even try..
At least if you focus on a game that doesn't require people to fill up server space, you can be done with the game on release date instead of being chained to it