First off, I respect your point of view, Paul. It feels like you are talking about new game mechanics, and I tend to think about game mechanics a little differently (and somewhat distinct from a TTRPG’s setting).

For me, they’re a means to an end. I personally like it when they get out of the way and allow play to happen (obviously that in itself is somewhat subjective). And because I appreciate that elegance; when a game can help evoke feelings or a “vibe” (to use an overused word) or sense of aesthetic or style at the table, I am interested. Or they’re just easy to use. And that’s usually the only reason I’m interested in the new or the novelty, apart from setting.

As far as setting goes, a new milieu to play in or that has what I think of as a “toolbox” of fun things for players and situations for the GM to play with, that is also exciting. But oftentimes it’s separate to the rules.

While not every flavour of PbtA is great, at its core, it is all I need for now. And I don’t think of myself as one of those people that would have said, “I hacked 5E to play steampunk!” if it were all I knew of TTRPGs. And I tend to think of game mechanics like evolutionary adaptations in biology. For me if I have something that works, I don’t need something new.

They’re there to tackle situations, but not every strategy needs improving. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad some people (though it sounds like precious few) are still trying to think of innovations and coming up with new mechanics, and I’m keen to know about them! I like new shiny things (maybe a little too much). But at the same time, when I’ve setttled on something that has worked well at the table, and for me right now that’s PbtA, I don’t really need anything else. To misuse Shakespeare (or whomever wrote it originally), the Play’s the thing, the most important thing is the fun I can have at the table. I hope I have understood the point of your post, which was excellent, by the way, and I agree with the larger sentiment, believe it or not, if not completely the impetus behind it.