I can remember a time when I thought that at least gaming press was on the consumer's side. Industry information that was passed on was generally positive. We got excited to play games based on how they were shown to us. Gaming press was more enthusaist-based.
Now, there's a perception that gaming press and the industry are allies and it's a battle with consumers. Consumers are "entitled". We always want more, or too much. We are told how to react, how to behave, what to think.
I get that gaming press develops relationships with industry folks, and it's normal to stick up for your friends, but who does the consumer have? Nobody, really.
So it's an "us versus them" situation. Sad, really. And it gets exacerbated when industry folks pile on.
This problem won't get resolved quickly, if ever. It's just unfortunate to see. There's more contentiousness than excitement. And it makes me long for the "good old days."