I wonder if it might be a requirement (or nearly) for run-away successes though, while obviously not sufficient for it.

Careful, you never know if Malcolm Gladwell is lurking here.

I'm not aware of that reference... care to enlighten me? The wikipedia entry didn't really answer it for me.

Malcolm Gladwell writes books about "success" where he uses many anecdotal (albeit fascinating) stories to come to a very vague conclusion of how people can be "successful". GP was referring to "qualities of success" (passion, writing something for yourself), which don't necessarily cause success.

It was tongue-in-cheek.

Thanks, well put, just what I meant.

If software done under these requirements, the world will see more compilers and far fewer ERP systems.

Not just coincidence. I've bought quite a lot of indie games the last few years but Minecraft is one of the few I recommend, no, urge my friends to buy.

It's genuine fun, different and has QWAN.