I don't think that's really an excuse to be honest. For one, the number of people that stopped playing in like 5D's and rejoined the game are likely super-low. Also, the fact other major changes happened at the same time (the first player not drawing, and both players being able to control a field spell) makes the whole set of changes stand out more.
I quit the game in 5Ds Era and recently picked the game back up and started on duel links as well. I'm learning right this moment that setting another field spell no longer destroys the old one. I used to play geartown at locals all the time. We exist, and maybe in duel links its a bit OP but in real life cards it actually makes this card nearly unplayable:(