A player that is only happy endlessly fiddling with mechanical tidbits isn't interested in the campaign or actually playing a character. These types are best left to game with only each other. You will have a happier and saner game for it. If ALL of players are like that then a new group is in order. No gaming is better than terrible gaming.
You saved me the time. The issue isn't the release schedule it is a bad match between player and DM and the DM blaming the release schedule rather than taking responsibility for how they handled the situation.