He did suggest using the Q&A to discuss features and functionality with other users to get feedback first, then file a report if you still have technical issues.
That gives me the impression that I have seen all year that staff will monitor the forum from time to time as they have always done and assist on a best effort basis, but if you have a real problem to report, then submit a ticket.
My guess is that they have been trying to steer us away this year from expecting the forum to function as an official support channel, and put emphasis on use of the forum is a peer to peer community for us to help each other out with.