I absolutely don't know enough about point A to argue it but if I were to venture a guess I'd say you are correct as far as people not buying reviews. Maybe reviewers are helping out friends or certain games with positive reviews for whatever reason/agenda (which seems to be a complaint) and I can understand the complaints and GG if there truly is such lack of ethics in journalism. I personally (and the group of friends I have that game) all look to trailers, gameplay videos and twitch to figure out whether we are interest in a game or not. I read reviews and articles on games when those other sources don't do enough. So that anger I can't really relate to much but I can understand. If the issues is how the journalists and media is painting the culture in a 'more' negative light than the reality (not to say it's some utopia were everyone is welcome and will have a great time, or anything close to equal enjoyment for all participants; male vs female specifically) and they are upset about being represented as what they truly feel they aren't, I can definitely empathize with that more.

As far as point B. I absolutely agree with everything you said. Gamers definitely need to do some more introspection on the culture. It is better, but it still has a lot of room for improvement.

I think you make a great point with this though "but in the end they're being misogynistic and doing everything right to make sure that gaming stays a small, socially unacceptable niche interest." I don't know if I'd say misogyny is the root cause, more of an unfortunate means to keep gaming the special unique hobby of a few people and a place they probably feel they can escape too and feel 'safe' (clearly at the expense of others feeling that way at times).

Lol reading into this stuff is exhausting and also upsetting how some hobby I have equated to just being an escape and a different way to experience and immerse myself in stories and arts is being turned into another political or social battle. So I guess I don't really like either side, but if I had to I'd support whoever is most honest to the art form and allows for the creation of both better games and a better community.