That's where this is actually not true. Asylum may not have a big reputation like major publishers, they still have something to lose. If they abandon the project and take the money, then they will not be able to get a product out as the reputation they could get would be completely ruined. This alone will also ruin the developers in the company in someway and so a career that they enjoy could be over. Look there is a difference because Rockstar has the money and manpower while Asylum don't, this doesn't mean Asylum isn't capable and to get trust, you must earn it and well if they release a buggy mess it will be basically a Steam Early Access game typically. But you cannot say Asylum has nothing on the line but they actually have everything on the line. They also have passion with making this game because it is a dream game they have always wanted and it is a game they will play too!
You have reputation even if you don't with the public. For example, 0 reputation is the starting rep and if a company with 0 rep abandons their project and takes the money then they will make the rep go in the negative numbers.