To be truthful, it aint a fair world out there, everything tends to deviate to playing some sort of game. Seems like OP just didn't want to play that game.

Although I do feel this is a norm in all big modern companies not just tech. Realistically there isn't a big life goal or changing-the-world impact for any one employee inside the company. I would say once you enter the company, just get used to playing the game and keep advancing, its easier that way.