GIMP etc are not developed by the target consumers is the real problem. affinity exists literally to capitalize on adobe going subscription and their entire effort has been to basically make adobe-but-better at a reasonable end user cost to convert users. As a professional designer, I have successfully migrated to Affinity after years of waiting for GIMP and others to match adobe offering. Even now, I would still use Photopea over GIMP. If one guy can make Photopea in his spare time, then what is stopping the GIMP team from doing the same while being paid? I'll tell you; because they have no idea what a professional actually needs.

If there was a Publisher (InDesign) and Designer (Illustrator) equivalent just like Photopea - my life would be infinitely better because I've long since given up hope on Inkscape etc. I could finally breathe as i leave Windows forever. Sadly, best the world is willing to give me is fucking canva, and now those assholes own Affinity - so in the end, i'm still stuck between a rock and a hard place/