http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/
That game is proof that big game developers are full of bull. (Read the development pages for details) Dwarf fortress has 2 devs, Tarn Adams and his bro. (His bro just does story) and its one of the most detailed, most immersive games out there.
Its also proof that video game development is not dieing. If those big game developers fall then ITS PARTAY TIEM. If they fall then their ruins will pave the way for awesome indie dev teams to rise and bring about a golden age of gaming. (At least for awhile untill they are all assimulated by new publishers who care for nothing but money then turn into the new EA's then the cycle repeats.)
EA, Rockstar and the like are huge linear storyline whores anyways. If your devs can't make a game without a linear storyline then they should not be aloud to make games. IMHO.