The big lead developers of the 90s (I'd add Sid Meier and Peter Molyneux to your list as a start) defined game genres, mechanics and in some cases just purely t

The big lead developers of the 90s (I'd add Sid Meier and Peter Molyneux to your list as a start) defined game genres, mechanics and in some cases just purely the concept of 3d game engines. Nowadays most big titles use similar 3d engines, use well-developed game mechanics, often follow (though sometimes with a little variaion) well developed genres, etc. Plus its big business so decision making is much more corporate rather than visionary. Thats why personalities don't stand out on the big titles, although there are a healthy number of indie game programmers who are doing the individual vision thing (Jonathan Blow et al).