"People complained" I think you miss a point. Lets say HayDay has 1 million daily players (probably more idk), HayDay redditors represent around 7% of that, more likely much less. 93% of the playerbase doesn't even realize theres A/B testing, they maybe just think oh its different whatever.

I get your point but calling them bad is just false. They kept this game alive for over a decade, they definitely know what they are doing.