What are your thoughts about playing and spending money on games that are still on the Alpha Phase?
As you mention that many of those involved in Drugwars (and those like me who are just observers) may not feel comfortable with some of the recent developments in the game. This feeling is magnified since a lot of us here have left the traditional online world in favor of a decentralized one. To see the regression back to centralization is worrisome to say the least.
Since you use the example of drugwars for the question please allow me to counter it with another example - Steem Monsters. I present Steem Monsters as an example to create a balance in the argument presented in the question. Steem Monsters not only became an shining example of gaming on blockchain but it is also till date one of the biggest players on the Steem Blockchain.
There is no doubt in the fact that any intelligent person would have to take the idea of investing on any project (in alpha stage) with a grain of salt. I think this situation is pretty analogous to investing in an ICO. It may go 'boom' or it may go 'bust'.
There is a definite risk in investing your time and money on a game that is still in alpha. The idea is to take a close look at what the team is offering and do they even have the potential to deliver it. Following the digital track record of the people involved in the project is an absolute must. It is something that is time consuming and most of us are too lazy to do it.
Treading cautiously in the world of crypto and blockchains should be a habit of those who plan to invest their time or money or both into it. For me Steemmonsters turned out to be a good investment on several levels and so I am still pro-investment. It goes would saying that I would obviously be put the whole project under a microscope before investing.
Disclaimer: This is not an investment advice.