Not to take anything away from the game devs (PoE is great and I wish I had started playing sooner) but I wonder how much internal politics plays a part.
I can imagine that the game studio has most if not everyone onboard helping collectively to make the game better each iteration. It is a common goal.
How many different product teams and managers get in the way for products at other companies where each is fighting for funding or privilege?
Being in that kind of environment is draining for the product teams.
Having worked at places that matched both these situations, I know where the quality and quantity of my output was greater.
I can imagine that the game studio has most if not everyone onboard helping collectively to make the game better each iteration. It is a common goal.
How many different product teams and managers get in the way for products at other companies where each is fighting for funding or privilege?
Being in that kind of environment is draining for the product teams.
Having worked at places that matched both these situations, I know where the quality and quantity of my output was greater.