Why do people make fangames?

[Kain Nobel]

There was a Super Mario RPG fan game a while back, from what I remember it was very well received, I think it even nominated for a "Project of the Year" award. Yes, with RPG Maker.

A group of fans put in some excellent work on a free Chrono Trigger remake, in full 3D, but Square came down hard on them. Yet, when a Chinese company did an NES-style remake of Final Fantasy 7, apparently there was no issues about it. Maybe they got the license and permission before-hand? Maybe Square doesn't mind bad fan games but gets enraged when somebody outdoes them... for free? Not sure the issue, but I guess I can understand.

I look up to those who put in work to make excellent fan games. Personally, I find it more rewarding to do your own thing and not have to worry about content that didn't originate in my mind, but if I ever did a fan game it would be for the love of the series and for the learning experience.