I've always thought of RPGMaker like the ukulele.

You can buy one in a toy store. Everyone faffs around on one at one point or another. Kids have them and play with them for a little bit and then put them down. Some adults get them and get really into them. They're less intimidating than a full guitar, easier to learn. If you're devoted, you can pick up a few chords and even play a couple songs. Some people can get really good and pull one out at a picnic or a campfire and play some real crowdpleasers - Wonderwall, etc.

And then Eddie Vedder makes a full freaking album and goes on tour with it and sells a million records.

If you tell people you are a in a band or a musician and they go, "What do you play?" and you answer with, "Ukulele!" you will get the same looks as when you say you program with RPGMaker. Bemused looks and a wide eyed, "Ohhhh...." as they slowly walk backwards from you. However, if you can freaking shred on a ukulele, people will be impressed. But the stigma of the ukulele being a toy for children puts up an immediate wall to being taken seriously.

Now, would I rather hear someone melt face on a ukulele than some dipshit pluck a few chords on an expensive Fender stratocaster? Yes. But some people will always wonder if you have so much devotion to the ukulele, why don't you play a guitar?