Help me understand something about past

I remember in late 00s or in 10s, ocasionally bumping on those websites with bunch of RPGMaker games. Because of the name like Fantasy Crack Kingdom 7 : The Nurnberg Trial strikes again(the name is jokingly made up just for the laughs it was clearly more of generic fantasy or wtv names), It was clearly a running "series" by an definitely dedicated author. There was always like 5+ games, many in the same series, kind of amatuerish but not "bad" art. And you can check forums and there was clearly activity on the forums. Not a LOT. But clearly someone was buying them. At the time those games being on steam wasn't as common, and 35$ price tag was a little to cpicey for me, and what really makes me even more questioning wth is checking usual "alternative" source, i couldn't find those games.

So can anyone enlighten me, what was those games? Anyone played them? Is there any good? What is the deal with them? Like i'm fascinated by what seems like a parallel universe i'm slightly peaked into and lost contact after.