Pretty sure Elon was first to the key, and the rest have followed suit.

In seriousness, though, the primary driver is the VC tap slowing down significantly and forcing long term business strategy to lean much harder into its existing opportunities vs. planning for periodic cash infusion from investors. A lot of these businesses never had to set themselves up for success in the absence of that capital, and it’s led to bad practices and product strategies.

I love this sentiment, and it can be true, but it also creates this idea that ‘heart’ alone has a high bearing on whether or not a product of any kind (book, film, statue, game) will be successful in its market ambitions.

It doesn’t always correlate. I would argue if often doesn’t correlate. Any indie film or game fest is chock full of projects with a ton of heart. Few of them graduate to success in the market place.

I’m not saying heart is a bad thing. It’s a damn great thing. But strong business fundamentals are a good thing too. And sometimes, you also just need that extra bit of luck or uncontrollable virality too. To find success, you stack the deck with as many good plays as you can, and heart is one of them.

Success is not a recipe, and if it was, everybody would be doing it…

Papers, please. This was dystopian but it still felt like it captured the banality of some of communism’s negative side rather than just creating moustache twirling villains.

For sure… Sable and A Short Hike are great mentions and both have really distinct and beautiful styles. Haven’t tried Proteus so thanks for the recommendation there.

Limbo/Inside, but especially Limbo

Flower and Journey, kinda both equally

Most modern AAAs (thinking TLOU/2, Horizon etc.) will tend to have very well done ‘world’ lighting – usually veering towards realism, but when it comes to expression of a unique cinematic look they tend to be samey in my mind. Great, but samey.