You make a strong and good case with what you're suggesting. The problem is the amount of time and money it would take to turn a game already released into what you're saying. Though I love the idea of the "give players the tools to make something to do" philosophy that you brought up, it's so broad people could turn it into many opinions as to what you mean. So can you please elaborate on what you see that philosophy as? Such as - "what tool?", "what can you make?". "I have the sword, I can slay the monsters. In essence that is what your saying." (this is an example of what people will do to this kind of a good post here).