I mean we’ve had the auteurism vs collective responsibility debate many times, but in the context of cinema I think auteurism is still a valid critical mode due to the fact that directors are still artistic prime movers in all but the most cynical of board room productions. Del Toro movies and their consistent peccadilloes are obviously “his” in a way that places the burden of proof on people disagreeing with that notion.
I’m glad you applied that frame to a certain kind of indie game. It’s a feeling I’ve had but never before had a name for.