Relic was a bit unresponsive back in the old days, but it was never this bad...
Maybe it's Sega. Someone active in the Total War community could probably comment on how they handle developments stuff there.
I think they have this unending hope that if they keep stuff under wraps, the NEXT big thing will somehow get the game more attention and respect. It's a failed strategy.
I'm really not sure they care that much about multiplayer to be honest. I'm sure expansions and campaigns are making them more money than the commanders ever did, so that could be one reason we haven't seen any OKW or US commanders. The Sega managers look at the bottom line and tell Relic to do what increases their revenue stream, E-sports and long-term longevity be-damned.
The attitude is just different than it was toward COH1. COH1 was a groundbreaking multiplayer RTS and they emphasized that. The OF campaigns (was there even a Brit campaign, honestly can't remember) were nowhere near as developed as their single-player content for COH2.The COH2 emphasis has been much, much more geared toward singleplayer.
Sorry but what you are talking doesn't make much sense at all. While relics communication was always horrenduosly bad, it has improved quite a bit from the old times. Atleast Cynthia occasionally pops up in streams, says stuff that they are working on , even if they dont go into the specifics.
Also your understanding of single player for coh 1 and coh 2 is tottaly wrong. Coh 2 had waaayyy more singeplayer focus than coh 2 ever did.
As far as support goes, coh 2 exceeds coh 1 support significantly. Coh 1 support was terrible. Coh 2 support is pretty bad but it's definately much better.
And SEGA doesn't control relic that much AFAIK, and they definately dont control relic in the NDA term. Look at creative assembly, they communicate, they advertise and they dont have any bullshit NDA.
That said i dont mind the NDA if the content delivered is good. I have over 1000 hours in coh 2, so i definately can say that coh 2 is good.