It's true, games are arbitrary.

Musing a bit though, we tend to convince ourselves there is value in our gold coins, exp, etc.

When you get right down to it though they only exist as arbitrary values stored on a computer. If you go in and change them, they can say whatever you want.

I think this is what he means about grinding.

Maybe subsequently the value of a good game isn't the end resulting Pokemon team or character build, but the journey to get there.