Jabbles22

What are some practices that probably aren't considered abuse but are still bad?

I am still undecided on which style I prefer. A single narrator does feel the most like reading a book myself. More than one narrator, but not necessarily a different narrator for each character is quite nice. As you said it can sometimes be jarring for that narrator to voice certain characters. As for the full on play, especially if they include sound effects, it's not that it's bad but it feels like listening to a play, not a book. That's not a bad thing but it is a different way to tell a story.

I do suspect that the reason we don't see more of the play style is likely cost.

Don't forget that it's not just the voice actors that need to be paid. Someone needs to find actors to play all those roles. Editing is bound to be more involved. Is everyone just sending in their own recordings or does someone need to organise studio time?