I don't agree, but even if true, the developer can influence the perceived value of their smaller or newer application.
by influence you mean "conform"?
The problem, as I said earlier, is that indies have no chance of spending enough time developing their app and also having time to do this or of hiring someone to do this. This is where the gatekeeping comes from. I think it actually keeps them from launching and growing, not just publish with neutered content (what you call conforming.)