When a game is in development artists are key.. they are needed in all types of game development they may not be the ones coding for the game etc, but they draw most of the things that will be in the game and usually characters, level designs the works.
So they are very hands on in terms of the game development because they need to see the outcome of things always. For example take akira toriyama' s role in the successful dragon quest or toriyama' s role in the upcoming blue dragon for the 360 or this other artist' s role in lost odyssey for the xbox360.
Artists are just as important in game' s like kingdom hearts, metal gear solid and many others. When a game is being made a single developer wont have the expertise to handle every aspect of the game being created he' ll need help whether it be from a music composer, an engine programmer, the all important artist which also plays a major role in the graphics design for the game. Keep in mind in regards to an artist he isn' t merely drawing with a pencil and paper he is on a computer designing the content that will ultimately end up in the game such as environments landscapes, character costumes, weapons, the works. So when you really look at it he' s more than just a bit qualified to make the comments he did about the console he was designing for.
An engine coder yea he knows something, but his word can' t always be taken as the law as his job is coding the engine whether his role isn' t as present as the artist. When we get into a game we aren' t seeing the coding we are seeing the graphics the art design its overall presentation (which is inspired by the artist) If the artists feel a wind blowing in this particular area would help the look and feel of the game the producer or coders make it happen.
In short the true value of a talented artist goes without question and if many cases they are just as qualified to critic a game as anyone else is. Toriyama has been known for getting into heated discussions with developers in games where he has been involved as an artist to make sure the art style is totally realized.
< Message edited by OptaviusX -- 4 Feb 06 23:25:40 >