And likewise the lack of sales doesn't equal genius. At the end of the day, it just means that people don't think your work is worth buying.
I answered your question, but the opposite of that answer isn't really a valid counterpoint. Still, the most the important part of my post was:
I prefer their original IPs which don't get made as frequently. If Kickstarter helps them put the games I want from them out quicker, I'll send a few bucks their way. I've yet to be let down by them and I have no reservations about their reputation. It's the same reason I couldn't bring myself to contribute to Shadow of the Eternals.
I definitely don't think it's as black and white as "lack of sales means no one wants your games." That's like saying "no experience means you can't possibly create something good" at which point Kickstarter shouldn't even exist. If someone believes in a project, that's reason enough to help fund it.
And to clarify, I don't really donate to Kickstarter projects. I fully expect something in return so I always choose the tier that gives me the final product. I suppose technically I pay a little more for that tier and it could be considered charity, but in the end, I still want things. I'm not noble enough to just hand out hard earned dollars. I want to be entertained even if it's more of a future investment for that entertainment.
I have very hard time believing they don't have the funds to fund their own project once in a while or the ability to con a publisher into funding it for them.
They don't want to make their own games "once in a while." They want to make them without having to go the licensed IP route. Kickstarter allows them to skip the process that's slowed the production of their pet projects. Since those are the ones I care about, they can have some of my money.
And going through a publisher means working on their schedule, according to their rules and their whims. That's why self-publishing is so important to smaller developers and indies.