I don't get this at all. Wouldn't the "nasty game" be to hire them then fire them after a few weeks because they don't bring the level of intrinsic motivation

I don't get this at all. Wouldn't the "nasty game" be to hire them then fire them after a few weeks because they don't bring the level of intrinsic motivation that the environment requires? Or are you saying that no employer should be able to demand this level of motivation, even if they're totally up-front about it?