You are right, I might have been a bit too dramatic with that. That kind of mentality as you say exists also in PC-land, but I do think it's because large publishers are actually trying to mimic the console market - or it's just downright easier to make such games.
Actually, I was pretty psyched when games like DA:O or ME were also designed for consoles, I was hoping that they would show the publishers that this kind of game actually was viable and had a future in consoles. And indeed, they were huge hits. But instead of changing the landscape of games in consoles, Bioware decided to strip features in the sequels so that they were more in line with the landscape itself. Less dialogue - or at least meaningless enough so that you can skip it, repetitious but fancy action sequences, good writing wasted on meaningless plots with no real choices, shallow but easy to swallow characters, instant gratification throughout the game, less strategy more "visceral" action, butchering of the interface to the point that inventory (in an RPG of all games) is meaningless, etc etc.
And I don't think it's a sign of the times either. Red Projekt and Bethesda, cater to the consoles as well, but they didn't water down their frachises - or at least they tried their best not to. Bioware on the other hand just took advantage of the loyal fanbase DA:O and ME has created, which is my main grivance with this company tbh.
I agree other than the Bethesda part I think Skyrim is pretty watered down and thats another series I worry about for its future.
Its what sells now a days so thats why they do it which is a shame. Like I said in an earlier post if I wanted to play a game like COD or Gears or whatever I will play THOSE games, I play an RPG to get an RPG experience not to get a watered down shooter the likes of the last 2 Mass Effect games.
People have different tastes and what is so wrong about wanting to have different play styles instead of constantly trying to blur the lines so you dont alienate people who probably wont play the game anyway! Why cant companies like Bioware see this? Hell I'd be tempted to put Bethesda in the same category as Bioware with the way things are going with them.
