The concept of the Nobody Hero is a very good one though, that shouldn’t be overlooked. I know you are just advocating that sometimes players want respect, but respect is a tricky thing in an RPG because respect is earned. Just like XP. But this is something you can do in any system, at any time.

I just started a Warhammer Fantasy 2nd Edition game and all the players started off as Nobles. Not all of them have the “noble” career, but they are all members of noble houses who get to make important decisions. Star Wars does this well if you play members of the Jedi Order or Rebel Officers, because you have some authority.

Two problems with starting games with “respect” that often come up though. One, it often means that you have to create “experienced” characters with enough backstory to have earned respect (and the backstory can become more important than the front story if you aren’t careful). The other problem is in licensed games like LotR. If you are playing a character like Eomer or Elrond’s sons, you are stuck with either changing the story, or, accepting the chains of being that person. LotR is, in my opinion, a terrible game setting, because all the most important stories have already been told… I love to read it, but I don’t want to play there.

Being important is just as difficult, for players and GMs, as being a nobody. Often, it’s even harder. I think that’s part of the reason this trend exists. I don’t expect it to go away any time soon.