Past Controversies? Options

[Uruhara_Kisuke]

Hello, I'm new to the Elderscrolls scene, and a casual gamer on the PC front, having grew up on jrpgs mostly.

I'm intrigued by the large controversies, which can be construed as negative hype surrounding Oblivion. My question really is: Did Bethesda form a pattern of releasing small bits of information before Morrowind and Daggerfall?

If they did, what major changes (if any), caused rabit fan reactions that split into opposing camps so drastically, with passionate defiance and blind acceptance?

If this irrational behaviour is exclusive to the Morrowind -> Oblivion transition, I'm even more baffled.

Disclaimer: I'm not trying to open old wounds here, just trying to understand the historic conflicts regarding TES.