Welcome back keneda. Sorry to learn of family members passing.
Also being in marketing I agree with almost all of your post. Especially today with social media, marketing does not have to equal expensive - just a dedication to "plan it out" and execute with laser precision to that overall plan.
You mention RTB (Reasons to Believe). What you failed to mention is "Moments of Truth" (MOT). Every time your brand comes in contact with a customer is a moment that could influence purchase behavior now and in the future. Stern sort of gets it with game reveal & price once it's ready, managing channel of distribution, and very strong customer support once you get the game. But where they constantly fall down is announcing a premium long after initial release and unfinished code - it destroys RTB and is a big failure in MOT. Recent design flaws also impact MOT but creating "fixes" can hep restore.
Unfortunately, instead of using online as a medium to leverage a relationship with customers and inform - Stern often ignores altogether and lets Jodi taunt and misdirect on Facebook. Failed MOT.