It can be hard to appreciate something unless you know the effort that goes into it, I get that, and I'm sure it took good work, but it has me wondering whether I'd invest so much time to one project like that, and not have it be the best in its class.

So...the point of this thread is that there is a program you consider "the best" in this particular class, and then there are other programs that you don't consider "the best"(which I guess is natural, since only one can be "the best") and...what exactly?

Also, making something that is functional and a signficant userbase finds useful is a huge accomplishment. What, if you go make an RPG game, and people like it, but still not globally declared as the best RPG in history, you'll consider it a failure? I guess I should just give up on my futuristic racing game then, even though some people might enjoy it(or they might not, we don't know yet), since I already know it most probably won't be better than Wipeout which was made from people with much more resources and experience.

What a strange thread indeed...

What is a waste is not seeing a project through to completion once you have started it.

Also, its time well spent if the project schedule includes time for aquiring the knowledge and skills required. For example, if you wanted to make say...a Tekken-style game, then you may need to take years out to learn 3D programming and also the art skills to produce characters and their animations in a package such as Maya or Blender.

Re: Mikeman.

Godspeed my friend on making that sci-fi racing game! When I left school and got my first job, a copy of Wipeout and a Playstation were my purchase on my first pay check, and I have very fond memories of that time. If you can make a game comparable to Wipeout then you will definitely have my respect at least.

I think the point missed here is that the quality of "best" is subjective. You're opinion that X is better than Y is not absolute, it is just a subjective judgement and others will probably disagree.

The idea that you are qualified to make an absolute judgement about what is "best" is typical of the usual arrogance I've come to expect.