Good topic. But people like Lyman & Keefer have proven to me that code is more important; i.e. TWD, WOZ... these same guys take typical fan layouts that have been designed over and over again and make them over the top fantastic games; i.e. AC/DC & LOTR.
Another way to look at it; how many pins has Lyman Sheats programmed in the last 5 years depreciate in value? And how many non-Lyman stern games have. 'Nuff said. The sad part is these other programs are more than capable of doing what these 2 programmers can do, but either they don't have the desire, or their bosses do not give them adequate time...or perhaps it's both.