Quoted from Msch:

Words hurt ;(

Quoted from Jvspin:

I don't think that's what's going on here.
Let's say someone is disgruntled with something JJP did. So, they go into all the JJP threads to put down the games, spread or start misinformation, inflame or start negative speculation, etc...
In my opinion, they are just causing trouble and are not adding any value to the thread.
I wouldn't have a problem if they went into every JJP thread and said, "I'm upset that JJP did this, so I'm not going to support them." At least it would be honest and their actual problem could be discussed instead of this passive aggressive way to get back at the company.
It's not just with JJP, though they seem to have more grudge bearing people than the other companies. It's amazing how much trouble even one dedicated person can cause.

Quoted from chrisjens2:

I disagree. Having the option to block certain people from posting on your own thread would be very beneficial. There are certain people who go at it with one another just because of personal reasons which have nothing to do with the post. There are also certain people who have hatred toward certain companies and bash everything said positively about them. For instance, never mind, I'm not going to drag any specific names into this discussion. If I were to post a for sale thread there are a handful of people whom I would not want to comment on my thread and by simply not allowing them to derail your thread would eliminate a LOT of back and forth banter.

Quoted from chrisjens2:

How do you interpret this as way too much power? Seriously, I'm not saying to be able to pick and choose who posts on YOUR thread, just to have the option of eliminating a limited number of people who are constantly going after each other. It would be an option
for the "op" of a thread. You should have the right to choose whether or not you want to block someone from your ignore list from crapping all over your thread. This would also help the moderators and you and I as a reader

Quoted from chrisjens2:

Then you don't have to use the option, I for one would use it and I would appreciate my right to do so

Quoted from Aurich:

Even Stern doesn't have a full time social media guy, Jared is just a part time contractor. Every single other pinball company in the world of any kind and flavor is smaller than Stern, you think they have a full time social media person? There is no one who's going to just hang out in a forum all day dealing with keeping things on topic.
So sure, I get your point. But you know what? There are people with agendas who aren't there to be genuine. They want to stir up shit. And frankly it's just not worth the headache.
So you can stand on principle. Or you can watch as less and and less pinball companies have any interest in maintaining a presence here. Stern already cut Jared's balls off, he couldn't work for them and be a normal poster, so he bailed. Looks like Keith and Alex had enough, they're out, at least for now. Rick retreated to his own forum for updates because he got tired of dealing with trolls.
Are those guys all saints? Hell no. But the fact remains that they represent companies that people here are interested in, and the climate is such that they're finding it not worth the time and effort.
So yay, they adapted by leaving.