The original devs were paid next to nothing while developing KSP from their own ideas, with the efforts of a startup company. Terribly poor negotiation tactics on their part, but still quite shitty of the owners not to give them a massive bonus after the huge success of the game.
Given those ethics, I wouldn't believe a new team got better conditions without solid proof.
Given those ethics, I wouldn't believe a new team got better conditions without solid proof.