The overwhelming negativety towards Bioware is mostly unfounded, but that doesn't me they aren't at a crossroads. The people on here saying things like "Mass Effect 2 is shit" are just plain wrong. The series may not have taken the direction you wanted, and you may not like some the changes they made from the first one, but to say the game is bad is outrageous. For what it is, Mass Effect 2 is one of the best games of the past few years. I concede that many would prefer a more traditional role playing experience, but personal preferences don't make the game bad. So, what we are looking at really, is one disappointing game.
Dragon Age 2 was a rushed game with a criminally small amount unique assets. While not as epic, I found the politically driven plot quite compelling, even if the storytelling suffered from an odd disjointed narrative. Overall, Dragon Age 2 failed to meet the high standards set by Orgins, but wasn't awful.
If you look at the last several games developed by Bioware proper, I don't really see where this idea of going downhill comes from.
KOTOR- A true classic
Jade Empire- Pretty damn good
Mass Effect-Great story, so-so combat, but overall still excellent
Dragon Age Origins- A modern interpretation of the classic WRPG genre, and a great one
Mass Effect 2- Streamlined RPG mechanics are hit or miss, improved combat, fantastic game
Dragon Age 2- underwhelming
Where is this downfall of Bioware everyone is talking about. If Mass Effect 3 turns out like DA2, the quality drop becomes a trend and we have a problem, but I think having 5 of their last 6 games be outstanding, with the sixth being decent but disappointing is pretty damn good.
I do agree that things like Victory Games becoming Bioware are disconcerting, but looking at the core Bioware studio, I don't think there is cause for alarm just yet.