One thing I've realized recently, AAA games are a medium like blockbuster movies. They aren't enjoyed in a vacuum, there's a social participatory element to them. People want to be part of an active fanbase and/or talk about it with their peers.

Playing an unpopular indie game (or even a game that's >8 years old) is kinda lonely. Yeah its fun but who am I going to talk to it about? Playing Fortnite or Overwatch or even a new AAA single-player game feels like being in the cultural zeitgeist.