There is an opportunity cost involved. They assuredly paid for his flight, accommodations, etc., while he was in Dallas. There are a million angles from which tackle this story, but no matter how you look at it, the story is quite simply tripe. The PR person for id sent out an ill conceived letter blasting the reporter. Everyone involved made mistakes, and the vultures we call the press were circling for the kill.
Bad news is big news in the gaming industry.
I was more embarrassed for sites that called id 'snobs' than anything else. That idea goes into the trash, right where it belongs. I'm going to have to shovel that slop in short order. My wife could give me the nod at any moment that our baby has decided to enter the world. I need a clean runway.