How big is the chance that this is their intention, particularly when you consider their history as game developer. I am afraid, the sad truth is, Todd, Emil and Pete are very serious about their work and making "true" RPGs, rather than shooters with RPG elements thrown in here and there. The context of what they tried to make, is rather clear I think.
As fun as this idea of "Hey! We want to troll popular stuff" might be and the, "their fanbase just doesn't get it" sounds, I think it's just reading into something that's not there. -
Infact, Bethesda is rather mocked by some of their players, for their dumbing down and behaviour.
Bethesda is mocking popular gaming and modern culture the same ways Mc Donalds is mocking cooking or Taco Bell Mexican food. - Hint, they don't. They run a business, and they sell non-rpg games as deep-hardcore-rpg experiences to people that don't even like RPGs. And ... the worst of it all. It fucking works. There are so many Bethesda fans out there that really think they are playing this deep, rich and complex games with great RPG narration. Fallout 3 got an award for it's writing ... so it must be true.