Who do the arkane developers report too?
Microsoft or Zenimax?
This is a case of workers being instructed to do something by management and them hoping upper management comes in and kills the project because they ain't feeling it or don't want to do it.
It's really that simple.
If management is telling upper management that they have some problems but it should be fine then upper management is gonna role with it.
This is why I said they need another group that doesn't have to worry about making MS or devs upset. Basically almost independent that play test and review these games the way they have studios now.
Otherwise this is something that is going to happen more often.