Yeah, I think Skyrim was good, and I liked Fallout 3/New Vegas, but nothing has majorly changed since those two games other than the graphics. I watched my friend play Starfield and realized that in my opinion, it was just more of the same with a space skin.
I think games can be bad because of the employees not making good games, but for reasonable circumstances. If the employees are making bad products, and management is actually decent, it would be because they're demotivated and demoralized from poor pay, benefits, and working conditions.
The c-suite must please shareholders relative other companies. Management must please the c-suite or they'll be fired, as workers and management.
For shareholders pay declines. Workers aren't motivated. Quality of work declines. The best talent perpetually leaves. Product quality declines. Alternatives are no better. So, most people buy it anyways, valuing the game relative alternatives instead of relative substitute forms of engaging entertainment. It's capitalism's fault most AAA games suck.