The Witcher seems rather consolized itself though, even though it was a PC exclusive. It has a lot of UI and combat mechanics that appear to be optimized for a controller rather than a mouse and keyboard.
Err... you mean The Witcher 2, right? TW2 was the game they developed with Xbox 360 in mind. TW1, on the other hand, is one of the *least* consolized RPGs I've ever played. The UI, the combat, and the graphics would simply not be possible in a console environment. It would have to be completely overhauled.
3) Harsh to say Bioware is on the decline. They messed up one game. Every company is entitled to the occasional failure. Plus Dragon Age 2 was hardly terrible... just not quite up to their usual standard. I still liked it.
Dragon Age 2 suffered enormous pressure from EA, forcing Bioware to rush out a mediocre title in only a year. Bioware will continue to be on a decline as long as EA is their publisher... which, looking at how Mass Effect 3 is shaping up, seems to be the case. (Hasn't it pretty much been confirmed as a corridor shooter now?)
WTF, 2014? Are they building a new engine again? Why can't it be 2013. I hope they'll at least release expansion packs or large DLCs for Witcher 2. I want moar!
I doubt they're working on a new engine. They just want to make a quality game is all.