the problem with these grand developers of the olden days is that they lost their passion for gaming and escapism, and became lazy and greedy assholes just looking to use their past fame as some hack to make lots of money for retirement.
I honestly don't think this is the case.
I think the truth is way more sad.
Most of these people were never as good as their reputation. The games they worked on that were great were always great due to an entire team, of which they were only a part, often a part whose contributions were apparently exaggerated.
Now they are older, mildly famous and - not even due to their own fault, as it was everyone who hyped them up - were made to believe it was them who had the spark of genius.
And coming from this assumption, they attempt to create something new and... well, we know how that often ends.