I'm not so sure...
Really, why play with giant armored fighting vehicles and an advanced control system when you can instead play a game with untold numbers of assorted releases (of the same game with the same engine...) and engage in various pop-culture related wingdings while playing with your friends? Not to mention that you don't even have to learn a real instrument, just an imitation fake one. I'm not saying there's no skill involved, I'm merely stating that the sound of clicking is just not as fulfilling as... actually
really learning three chords and playing "Smoke on the Water."
This is the reason the modern game is usually not up to par. It's not saying it's bad, but it's nothing special. The special, great games tend to have a selective audience, and they appeal to that audience; they also did a great job doing it. I feel the modern title, if super-overgeneralizations are to be made, are meant to appeal to everyone. This results in "meh." Enough said.
Obviosly, it comes down to sales. If it's great but not
everyone buys it, then the quota is not met and the project was a "failure." Just look at our friend, Lucas Arts: Since when do TIE Fighters have PROTON TORPEDOES?!
On a secondary note, support your small-time developer. They actually do what they feel like doing.
Well, rant over then...
-Thaeris