It matters for the same reason first impressions matter. It's a lot harder to succeed in a relationship with someone if you start off on the wrong foot.

I know many others, and myself, who won't be playing Fallout:76 or No Man's Sky because both games were colossal train wrecks on launch that over-promised (or over-hyped) and under-delivered. It doesn't matter much if these issues are eventually fixed, most of the player base will have already moved on. Some many go back and try it out when they hear "it's better now" but many won't.

The games will be remembered poorly by most people, even if they eventually do become good and that is what the quote means.