Lethn regarding prototyping physical models, it could be cheaper than 3D printing to use CNC machines and various base: wood usually but grinder could works on other materials too. Both are actually pretty similar as open hardware printers & CNC machines share common bases (controllers, stepper motors, ...). There is also laser engraving, but it's awful on wood, and great on some thin metal sheet.
To get back to the topic, my opinion is it's depends on game and audience. For instance, Putrid Shot Ultra has, to be honest, what most would call crap visuals and simple sounds, still the game is a lot more fun than 60 € or more 3D full of effects and issues AAAAAAAA games which needs 200 GB disk space and a 5000 € hardware to play at 60 FPS. I tried the demo, like it, so bought it on Steam for 2.69 € or something.
One way to make money is to provide a base game with nice things but limited contents, then charged additional contents to get more of it. But the payware games like many deck builders car games are quite a shame and a scam, as well as pay to get everything faster in online games, fools paid just to beat others and please their ego. Still, that can be done if there are idiots who are willing to do so.
