The number of participants may affect the number of coins you can get. As for the reasons for the delay in ICO's time, I think it is because they have not raised enough funds. A project delays the ICO several times, which proves that no one is optimistic about this project, so they can't raise funds. Even if the ICO succeeds in such a project, its coins will not be valuable. This should be the reason why your friend advised you to give up because they are wasting your time. Time is money my friend.