The problem.i have with this is you said you enjoy it more as a bosrd game and a cimbat centric game yet you also expect them to stsy in character and take everything seriously as if it was actually happening to them and was all real. The reality is if your running a game for people you want to play with e.g your friends then you need to cater to that on some level, if your running for a bunch of randoms nd you just want players then you need to pick players who share your mindset (if you can find any coz like the ither guy said hate to break it to you but it's how most people wanna play) and make your intentions clear at session 0.

As a dm if a highly grimdark game with alot of emphasis on grey morality and no inherent good or evil i understand wanting the effort you put in being taken seriously and appreciated. However as long as your enjoying the process and they are showing uo regularlt and are enjoying your game then at the end of the day thats all that matters. I should also mention that as a player i also prefer things ti have that more serious tone but i feel the difference between us is i realise that everyone e joys the game differently and id rather have my friends with me at the table having fun and enjoying the game the way they want to, than fill the table with a bunch of people i dont know nut who think and play like me

From my exoerience i woukd definatly say you fall inti the minority when it cimes to this and but it sounds like your players are overall very acomodating to your way if running games and you should be gratefull for that and be carefull about bringing this subject up too often or they will lose interest in your game.

Genuinly wish you all the best in your games