Ple-Sen
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Games used to be made the way developers wanted; now they cater to the publisher's opinion.
Publishers have been throwing a wrench in the works for a long time — just recall Master of Orion III or Titan Quest, which turned out successful despite the interference. These days, it's actually somewhat easier, as indie developers have more opportunities. Yes, AAA publishers strive to monetize everything they can get their hands on, but the industry isn't limited to AAA games alone.