I’m more of the mindset “create the games you want to create”. I include a method of social chat in every game concept I conceive. Even in my single player games. I’m a fan of this kind of game concept because it is simple, a multiplayer walking simulator of a sort.
I’ve been developing similar non-combat games leveraging procedural generation/construction. I’ve acquired tons of 3D assets of various art style and theme from the marketplace over the years, thus I build fantastical, surreal, and alien environments.
No need to limit yourself to normal realistic environments.