Why is PC Gamer's glaring conflict of interest with Epic not widely condemned?

Because most people don't know about it, and probably wouldn't care if they did.

As much as people in forums like this pay attention to industry trends and current events, this sort of thing is like explaining how taxes work to most gamers.

If you've ever been on the Destiny 2 sub, you'll know what I mean. The industry as a whole had a massive shake-up due to the spotlight being put on exploitative revenue generation schemes (i.e loot boxes), which generated massive outcry from sources within and outside of gaming as an interest group.

But if you mention anything like this in places like that, all you're met with is arm-flailing and dismissal.

Like, I love the game, but in Year 2, they quietly introduced cosmetic items that can only be obtained for real-money purchases. Up until then, it still had an MTX economy, but all items were still obtainable through reasonable amounts of gameplay.

Mention this to most people there, though, and they always seem to willfully mistranslate everything you say into either "I'm too poor to buy XYZ cosmetic" or "I'm a greedy bitch and everything should be free".

I mean, I get apathy. What I don't understand is why people go full retard defending less-than-ideal business practices.