I have been reading this and I just don't understand this thread at all.

The op keeps using examples of the two 'sides' but those examples are literally the same thing. the OP just is measuring them by different metrics.. ( I think that is a logical fallacy of some sort, but other than No true scotsman i don't remember any names)

The truth is all the examples he gives of the 'mechanically and narratively unique and special" are 100% as interchangeable as the 'just some guy doing things' examples he gives.

I think there is a deeper reason as to why, but I am not expert in that particular field.