[chii]

> push the boundaries of the technology in a meaningful way.

Which is why game mechanic and gameplay is where the boundaries are, not computational efficiency or photorealism (or even, artistic direction or production value).

I imagine that prior to Jonathan Blow's indie hit "Braid", people were also imagining that the technological ceiling has been hit and an individual (or small team) cannot compete with the AAA studios.

[qwery]

Sure, but most explanations of id's success (including in this article) hinge on (John Carmack's) technological prowess (and DOOM melting your face off).

I'm not entirely sure what your point about Braid is. An individual or a small team could not compete with triple-A studios in 2008. Anyone thinking that then was right.