CUDA support is what really pissed me off. I wanted to do some early machine learning (photogrammetry and computer vision stuff) 10-15 years ago, but the only way to use it was on nvidia hardware.

You're right, but the further from release you are the less relevant this becomes. Another win for patient gamers

Famously, Nvidia drivers contain hacks for lots of games. Nvidia takes the crappy games and writes work arounds into the drivers to make the games work.

That has more to do with driver compatibility. "Engineered for NVIDIA" does not mean your AMD is going to have a disadvantage unless the game just came out. And when it comes to AAA titles you've either got the power or you don't. If the drivers are up to date for the game in question, how you program a game is not really that big of a concern.

It's just branding deals most of the time. They are not using some secret property tech.

The developments of the last couple of years have definitely changed the tech available on cards. With he AI upscaling coming and games running at SNES resolutions I'm out of knowledge going forward.