No surprise, no outrage.
As someone who works in the PR industry, this is just how PR works in 2020.
Across all industries, not just gaming.
Movies, music, politics, attractions.
Super myopic to believe that wining and dining, suggested revisions, gifts for positive coverage, etc. are an industry-specific problem, or even particularly scandalous.
It's just how the world operates when trying to influence opinion, and something you need to develop a thick skin for if you're going to take any job in the media.
You think the talking heads on the news don't get called every name in the book - including liar - on a daily basis by those they critique?
Unpopular opinion, but there's no victim here (unless her employer forced her to cave under career duress), there's no single bad guy (don't hate the singular player, hate the institutional game), and it's up to the reporter to be professional, tell Square to fuck off, and move on to the next review.
Not even defending the modern PR industry - it's pretty terrifying how much influence enough money can buy - just saying that with everything going on in the world these days with social injustice and disease, I have a tough time mustering much outrage for Square's PR department PR'ing to try to get a better score for an electronic toy.
www.usgamer.net
