The golden age was when most modern game design principles and techniques were established, between 1993-2005 (roughly). My criticism is that this presentation

The golden age was when most modern game design principles and techniques were established, between 1993-2005 (roughly). My criticism is that this presentation by CD Projekt is not helpful but harmful to indie developers. It's clear in the presentation that their mindset is similar to the mobile game era of manipulation and control of the player. Ostensibly in this case to "make them want to continue". Engagement is skinner box jargon used by companies like Zynga and has nothing to do with making a good game. Because the presentation promotes this mindset and because it's about two games that mostly were made possible by golden age game design, and not their own innovations, I don't believe they have anything meaningful to contribute on this topic. The quest design in Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk is neither innovative, nor very fun. It may be effective in the manipulative sense, but that doesn't contribute to the artistry of making games fun.