This is a really interesting topic.
Me and my friends have already been rebranding this for some years now.
We use: AAA for massive studios, like EA, Ubisoft, Sony, Microsoft. But its not quality dependant (somtimws horrible quality like squll and bones AAAA???)
AA is used for smaller companies/publishers like helldivers, spacemarine 2, and people that make more "traditional" games. (Quality is usually where AAA used to be, +/-)
Indies, are for the smaller teams, experimental games, independent studios, like your project, tainted grail, lords of the fallen, expedition 33, baldurs gate 3. The quality of these games can range from literal garbage. To transformative masterpieces.
And the final point is we ALWAYS hold indies in the highest regards compared to everything else, just because of the passion and dedication that no conveyor AAA can ever hope to match, because it's becoming literally impossible with all these DEI, and other mandatory policies they have to follow.
No rest for the wicked is something I couldn't ever see anyone other than an indie company could produce.
Tainted grail is the bethesta game I wanted Avoved to be. (Again I don't see that being possible if it wasn't indie)
Expedition 33 is the game of the year (so far) that AAA is quoted on saying is not feasible anymore (???)
So being labeled an great indie in my book (even AA) is such a massive compliment compared to the state of AAA (boring, safe, DEI and sanitised)
Love to hear more thoughts how others see it.
@assassinscreed How all your devs look when they figured out you sold off all the valuable IPs to China leaving them with worthless stock options, and looming layoffs...