You're very right, it is only natural to get annoyed at this manifesto haha. Sorry about that again... I really appreciate your response and I do think it's reasonable to try to influence the culture and of course for most it's not an ego thing. Part of manifesto was born out of my most cynical tendencies, so I don't blame anyone that isn't there yet and at least appreciates the goal of having fun making games and not polishing them to a fine paste lol.
I completely agree that a lot of new devs have a completely warped idea of indie game development! Definitely loving creativity for it's own sake is not a given in our environment at all.
When I go to in person game showcases in my local area, most of the games I see are in the style of these huge indie games. Usually they are made for years part time hoping to sell and win the game lottery. I feel like that attitude is like the counter to AAA games. The counter to the indie games to me feels like "art games". I've talked to some people at GDC who make art games and showcase that stuff and try to make really interesting pieces. I think some of those people see themselves as a kind of avant-garde filmmakers or something. Really making culture and influencing people. Probably those people submit their to the experimental game showcase at GDC or other art game showcases. I imagine they look at other games and value them based on some "artistic merits" and how much they go against game norms while still valuing game design skill in some sense. I admit that i've submitted to some of these art showcases and been denied. So this manifesto is my counter to the art game people. I've told a couple of them my bad games theory and they enjoy parts of it but they usually insist on trying to make good games, And instead choose their own definition for what good is.
I've haven't seen that video yet. The part at 2:14 really made me smile. I love that section... Maybe I'll try to soften up on people trying to make culturally interesting games hahaha.
i'll remember this interaction fondly, thank you!