The more niche the audience, the more niche the budget has to be.
Yes, because Bioware just didn't know how to appeal to mass audience...
Of course they did--which is why BG 1 and 2 contained a mix of silly and non-silly content--and challenge laced with opportunities to cheese encounters if folks wanted or needed to.
I thought BG1 & BG2 were made by Black Isle ? Or did I mix there something ?
Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 were developed by Bioware and published by BIS, whereas the Icewind Dales and Planescape Torment were developed by BIS.