See, I don't mind the anonymous data being used to improve the game (mostly). It's what they take from the data and how they "improve the game" is where I get w

See, I don't mind the anonymous data being used to improve the game (mostly). It's what they take from the data and how they "improve the game" is where I get weary. My beef with analytics is I've worked at enough places where the data is used to min/max everything, which ultimately makes for a very bland product that loses its vision. Let's use Larian's post as an example. Most people are making a generic white guy. Other companies see that and say, okay then let's only invest resources in allowing players play as a generic white guy. It's wasteful to do otherwise because "the data says so." But then you get a souless product that looks like everything else. There's value in catering to the niches. It's more inclusive to the users who are looking for products with those niches (horns, tails, headphone jacks, whatever). But mostly having those niches makes it more appealing to everyone else, even if they won't interact with the niche, because now it stands out.