Why would anyone make video games if they couldn't make money from selling them?

Out of passion for the art. See also: free (libre) software video games released and distributed for free (gratis).

Of course, money is a huge motivator, but so is self-expression.

Well they certainly aren't on level with each other in terms of motivation, so I don't think it's fair for you to say they are both huge motivators.

Video games would actually be better of if the profit incentive was removed. Modern high-budget video games have become indistinguishable from slot machines that are optimized by literal psychologists to get you to waste as much of your money (and time) as possible without providing any meaningful experience. I'd rather see much fewer games created if what remains are games focused on having artistic and/or educational value rather than investment opportunities for wall street.

This is just your own sanctimony, go to a gamestop and ask people if they think we should have an IP regime where there is no gta or football games. What a ridiculous response.