From Software focuses on gameplay mechanics, and not fluff. Fluff is what mainstream gaming loves. Beth focuses on fluff. Fluff makes money.

But its still a genre that isn't tackled by many other companies, Bethesda really should be focusing on ways to enhance their games based on their track record and core audience, not some hidden other audience.

They made this game imo to attract the Call of Duty audience. This game OOZES call of Duty.
- Skills are useless. Perks are the real damage makers.
- Bows shoot like guns (you have to shoot "over" the crosshair to hit)
- There's "killstreaks" that you earn from the perks. You may not see it because its not distinctly called a "killstreak" but its right there. It comes from the Kill Animations that you only unlock by spending a perk point.
- There are no FREAKING STATS. How do you have a Elder Scrolls Game without stats? Even Fallout had more emphasis on stats than this game.
- Almost every "tedious skill" is broken as hell. Iron dagger * 100 = 100 skill in Blacksmithing. Wow, immersive.
- Melee combat is a joke, just swing your sword mindlessly till someone dies, which works good for Call of Duty players since melee combat doesnt exist in that game.

Could Skyrim have been done better? Yes. For me. However it's my brother's favourite game, and I'm very glad he enjoys it as it is.

"Selling out" is a common term. All artists are accused of it when they start appealing to a broader audience, or, gods forbid, make a bit of money. It's generally used by bitter, selfish individuals who want something to be tailored to there own specific desires instead of letting other people enjoy it too.