Damaging their sales numbers is what forced them to change their minds, yes. Who did that, again?
We took action (through reviewing the game and requesting refunds) and made demands, they responded and met the demands. I'm not sure what's gotten lost in translation here.
If you tell somebody "Do this, or else" and they do it, you're supposed to drop the "or else" part, otherwise you go from having a legitimate argument to being a bully. Sony capitulated this time, but that'll only keep up in the future if they're given positive reinforcement when they actually fix problems. If Sony gives in and the response we give them is "Fuck you anyway", they're not likely going to cooperate the next time their communities are in uproar over their next inevitable fuckup.
I'm sure the Stellar Blade community is watching us closely, hoping we don't piss off Sony too much before they make their petition to the King.