I don't believe such thing is true. I think is just another exaggeration and maybe you wish for it but... it's not like that. The forum has little "bad" influence on their product reputation. Mostly is a good thing because of the good things there are there. That is for the few that actually go to the forum and most of those few are not "cocked" for bad stuff.

Most of the "setbacks" in reputation are done by delays but that is reality of this world. We can whine about them but... that is pretty much all. This and limited technology for now... which is again... delays. If ED would made available a world wide map like Nevada and the rest of DCS... all of the so called problems with the forums would be wiped out like by a flood.