Well, quite - even I'd find it incredibly difficult to justify anything 5meg+ (allowing for package overheads) for a Galaga clone - although I did once do an Asteroids clone running in at around 15meg but in my defence, I was deliberately taking the mick.
But I do take issue with anyone who automatically assumes >10meg=bloat, yes, there's probably more Indie games out there that could trim the fat off, remove the excess (see my previous comments on video files, there's just no need, ever) and could be around the 8-10meg mark, maybe less, than there is that are as tight as can be - but its not something I'd automatically assume because some of us do put an exceptional amount of time and effort into cramming as much into as small a file size as possible. Sometimes, its just not possible to fit everything you want thats appropriate to the game into such a restriction.
I guess I just prefer to judge on the game, rather than the filesize and I don't like to assume anything automatically. I've downloaded 2 meg games which I've felt are a waste of bandwidth and space, and I've downloaded 60 meg games that have been pretty incredible. Sadly, it also works vice versa. However, a crap game is a crap game to me regardless of size
I also feel its probably necessary to point out at this point that I don't develop games for money, nor do I have any interest in doing so - so, to a degree - I'm part of the market not the problem. What I make, I make and issue for free - as does my compadre. Of course, the fact that we both give our games away doesn't automatically mean we don't put as much time and effort (and in many cases of some of the utter rubbish shareware I've downloaded the demo's of, evidently more) into making something that fits into a reasonable file size with as much goodness as we can cram in.
But then, having said all that, I am a bit odd by name, odd by nature. I refuse to download video's of games in action as I don't see the point in wasting my time on a rolling demo, especially when someones asking me to download a 12meg .avi of a 5meg game in action - I prefer screenshots or something I can play.
So, as you say, what it essentially boils down to is, if your game is going to be <x> megs, then make the game worth the time I've spent downloading it and I'll be a happy bunny - but don't bloat it out simply because you can because there's nothing more blatantly obviously amateur looking than an overly bloated package and that will hurt your sales - be it 1meg of game in 10meg of download or 10meg of game in 60meg of download
Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it.
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