On top of that, I also think that some people may have been growing weary of the show and not really enjoying it any more, and controversial scenes present them with an opportunity to leave in a huff. After all, indignation makes a stronger statement than quietly deciding "Yeah, I don't think this show's for me any more". It's the culmination of their dissatisfaction,
and the perfect excuse to quit and make a bit of a scene while they do so.
Having run a video game website for going on fourteen years now, I've encountered that once or twice before.