I wonder how much previous news from the devs can be described as worthwhile?

It generally tends to be leading statements, fire-fighting, wishful thinking, or announcements-about-an-announcement.

Very, very little of it has been adult, or rational. Much of it has been reactionary, positional, or tactical. That is, when it has not been wrong, or actively misleading, or patronising.

One of the nice things about the games form the 80s and 90s was a sense of innocence, and genuine trying. I remember being involved with the printed manual of a major game back then, and the attitude back then was of serving the community, or trying to expand it. But primarily it was about accuracy, describing the software warts and all, and bugbears.

The main difference between now and then was focus. The priority was on a game, a sense of fun, atmosphere, immersion, a world. Everything that is missing from this rolling debacle.