[hammock]

Not sure why you’re being downvoted. Your insight connects the software industry to the larger macroeconomic environment of low interest rates and growth-seeking (rent-seeking?). A one-off’s sales have a ceiling, where a recurring revenue source is an indefinite fountain of sales.

The same could be observed of Hollywood. How much of the derivative sequels, reboots and spin-offs are driven not by a lack of creativity as is often bemoaned, but rather by a greater-than-ever desire to develop “fountains of sales” rather than one-off artistic hits?