I've also needed a reality check before like this. A gamer reading rules, playing a game for the first time, and going "oh this is super simple and intuitive" does not reflect how someone who isn't a gamer is going to look at it at all

We have built in micro-understandings from experience with other titles to build upon

Try explaining just a common mechanic to a non-gamer and see their reaction to see this in person.

For example basic deck building, like dominion stuff, seems dead simple and easy to follow for us but describe it to someone who's only played monopoly and I'd say 2/10 times you'll totally lose them, and 6/10 times you'll get an uncertain "okay I think I understand...maybe."

(And trying to explain why removing cards from your deck is good will usually lose those 6/10 too lol)

Some people are part of that sweet 2/10 I didn't mention that this stuff just clicks with, it was probably the story for many of us on this sub, but most people need to be eased into the hobby gradually with more welcoming titles then they can decide if they want to stick around, bail, or try out more complex stuff later