It’s an interesting article, but a better metaphor (or model?) for Qanon is a cult. A lot of the same mechanics at play as in this game designer’s take (a big conspiracy, the more the normies insist you are wrong, the more convinced you are that you’re right, etc). But as with a cult, there’s an religious undercurrent to the whole thing (Qanoners believe the baby-eating evil deep state overlords are satanists) and also, like a cult, there is no fourth wall problem – “this is not a game” is built right in from the start.