I'm waiting for Jon Van Caneghem (M&M) to get back in the game.

But I hear you as far as the OP. Not only is there no challenger, but there is almost no one testing the waters. Whether it's money, audience, fashion or will, who knows, but the fact is they just don't make too many Skyrim type games.

If I had the money or the ability to get funds together I would plumb the depths of an open world Shadowrun type game. And yes I am aware of the Kickstrater, but I have no hopes at all of that being an open world sand box first person RPG.