If they were so desperate that they were depending on preorders to put food on the tables, they would've gone under long ago. They just want to get paid as soon as they can like everyone else does, though not necessarily requiring it.
You dont realy think the developers and other staff involved in this project are not getting paid until the final product hits the market. This project needs constantly money to keep going. The preorders is a free loan without interest to reduce the cost of the production. Be sure that 50€ 6 month ago are more to the company then 50€ much later. After all they are no charity and want to maximize their profits.
Sorry if my grammar or anything is aweful because english is not my main language