This book came out last year and I think shmups are the quintessential game that this idea applies to

I think that's why the 1cc is so important because it is a success that makes all the other attempts failures, heh.
First chapter is here:
http://www.salon.com/2013/07/13/video_g ... ll_losers/
http://www.collisiondetection.net/mt/ar ... /06/why_do