I say it's more about the recent EA presence. Most complaints I see are quite constructive. Mine always are. But until EA producers surfaced, I was often attacked for expressing my dissatisfaction.
I don't remember many names here, but Pared will always be familiar after berating me for complaining about Madden after stating I probably wouldn't buy '09. He even linked an old post of mine where I said I probably wouldn't buy '09. Him and others couldn't get why I'd complain if I wasn't buying the game, other than assuming I enjoy bashing EA.
Now that EA officially checks the site, I guess it's OK to complain... constructively.