Maybe AAA games just don't need to be as large or sprawling. Release one full campaign with everything you need included in the price. Then if it does well offer dlc.
As the article points out, balder's gate was early access for 3 years, sold at full price, and still has bugs. It's not an exception to the rule, larian just delivered a good product that had good source material behind it.
It's the name. PP and abortions are tied together in the minds of conservative voters, whether or not that particular branch provides abortion services. Texas legislature wants to burn down PP at all costs.