Hypothesis

Big video game publishers often make up words for their titles, but indie teams not so much.

Evidence

Video Game Titles Made By Indies

Artizens, Avernum, Cryamore, La-Mulana, Odallus: The Dark Call, Phantasmaburbia, Satazius, Zenonia

Video Game Titles Made By Big Publishers

ActRaiser, Aldynes, Aleste, Alshark, Alundra, Arcus Odyssey, Arkanoid, Axelay, Barunba, Bubsy, Castlevania, Chack’n Pop, Coryoon, Crusader of Centy, Dimahoo, Disgaea, Drakkhen, Elysion, Etrian Odyssey, Faxanadu, Gaiares, Galaga, Golvellius: Valley of Doom, Gurumin, Journey to Silius, Klonoa, Langrisser, Lufia, Metroid, Neutopia, Nexzr, Parodius, Pikmin, Plok, Pokémon, Pokémon Trozei, Pulstar, Ristar, Robopon, Shantae, Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya, Soul Calibur, Star Parodier, Sylpheed, Sylvalion, Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis, Tales of Eternia, Tales of Phantasia, Tales of Xillia, Terranigma, Tetris, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Toki Tori, Turrican, Tyrian, Valis, Xexyz, Yosumin, Yggdra Union, Ys, Zanac, Zupapa

Stuff I’m Not Counting Because Reasons

(but all of it would fall under the big publisher category, only strengthening the case)

Crystalis, Gemfire, Grandia, L-Dis, Popful Mail, Skyblazer, Tales of Eternia, Tales of Legendia, Tales of Symphonia, Tales of Vesperia*, Ufouria, Ultima, Windjammers, Xenoblade Chronicles

*Trivia: “Vesperia” looks more made up than “Eternia” or “Legendia,” but it was a candidate when naming Canada!

Notes

I only listed titles of games that I’ve heard of and usually played. If you can feed me more confirmation bias and/or counterevidence, post a comment! (It won’t show up immediately since I have to approve comments, so don’t panic when nothing appears.)